Scott: “I’m able to dream now, able to see a vision of my future”

Scott

Before getting involved with JobsPlus, Scott did not have any aspirations for a job or career. All he knew was that his employment would entail living “paycheck to paycheck.”

He didn’t dare dream. Issues with substance abuse and broken family ties wouldn’t let him.

“I’m able to dream now, able to see a vision of my future.”

While Scott was at a treatment center, the JobsPlus staff members who visited him saw him at rock bottom. But they also saw Scott’s potential and nurtured it, encouraging him to think of the future positively.

After Scott gained some confidence and hope, an employer also saw his potential. Scott was able to get a job with one of JobsPlus’ most faithful employer partners. He has quickly risen through the ranks at the manufacturing company and was just recently promoted.

His boss, Russ, says, “He cares about his job, works hard, and has a positive attitude. I think he can have a successful career here.”

Obstacles and Overdoses

Scott says, “I still can’t believe I made it this far.”

Scott was adopted when his mom was 14 years old and dad was 17. He says they were just unable to provide for him.

He says he had a happy childhood until 7th and 8th grade. That’s when things started going south. He fell in with a group of people who “just took me down the wrong road.”

The decision was made for him to go to trade school for his last year in high school. He says this transition put him in touch with people who “weren’t the greatest,” and drug use became the norm.

Scott says, “Overdosing, I can’t even count how many times. It became a normal thing, really. I don’t even know how many times I got arrested. My lowest point was when my family just didn’t accept me anymore. Eventually, they had to show me hard love.”

He called that tough love from his parents one of the reasons he was able to turn his life around.

Employment – A turning point

City Gospel Mission’s employment network was another turning point.

Scott says, “They came to me at my lowest of lows. I didn’t know what to do and they started helping me from the very beginning. They are right with you every step of the way. You cannot get that anywhere else.”

Scott says he is grateful for everyone who has helped him, including all of you who support JobsPlus.

“The things that my parents do for me now, I never thought that they would do for me ever again. (My company) … putting that trust in me and being able to have that leadership and learning those skills and figuring out how to do things is amazing. It really is.”

THANK YOU for helping Scott and nearly 300 people each year get life-changing employment through JobsPlus.

Click to learn about volunteering at City Gospel Mission.