Jason, his wife and three children entered one of Family Promise’s New Leaf Transitional Housing program apartments in October of 2013. Having been laid off from his job several months earlier, Jason needed a plan. Working with a Family Promise caseworker, Jason started the research to find a new career path, one that he could build on for the future. He decided truck driving was the route he wanted to take and applied for a Family Promise Break the Cycle scholarship.
The Break the Cycle scholarship is one of Family Promise’s most transformative programs. Financial assistance is provided to individuals who are pursuing advance education or vocational training and exhibit a personal commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty.
The scholarship committee met with Jason and, impressed with his vision and motivation, offered him the full cost of tuition to prepare for his Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) exam. He received the check on Christmas Eve 2013 and began the classes shortly thereafter. By then end of January, Jason passed the CDL exam, got his license and was offered jobs with the two highest-rated trucking companies in the country. He accepted one of the positions and is currently in the company’s training program. Once training is completed, Jason will be earning approximately $50,000 a year plus full benefits.
With his determination and support from Family Promise, Jason was able to “break the cycle” of homelessness and work towards a promising future for himself and his family.
