Adam sits in his new office, the phone ringing off the hook.
“What I do matters,” Adam says proudly. “People rely on me at work. I have skills and knowledge – not everyone can do my job.”
Over the last two years, Adam has built a life he is proud of. He has been promoted to Production, Personnel and Warehouse Manager at Thoroughbred Roofs, his peers look up to him, he can pay his bills, and he is coming up on two years of sobriety, a milestone he cherishes deeply.
“I never thought I would have an office. I’ve never had a job where I needed a laptop,” Adam says with a laugh. The joy in his eyes is undeniable.
“I never thought it would be like this. I’d lost hope,” Adam reflects.
From the age of 13, Adam struggled with addiction, was shuffled around in the foster care system, and served multiple stints in prison, the longest lasting 54 months.
Adam found Opportunity for Work & Learning (OWL) shortly after being released in December 2023. He had always had an interest in the trades and had picked up some skills along the way, but he didn’t know how to channel them into something more. He says OWL changed that.
In June 2023, Adam graduated from our apprenticeship program, the Skilled Trade Academy. This program didn’t just teach him technical skills—it gave him confidence, purpose, an income, and strong community ties. He credits OWL for connecting him with Thoroughbred Roofs.
“If it weren’t for OWL, I don’t know where I’d be. They put me out there and vouched for me,” Adam says, a smile forming.
Adam did not have an easy start in life, but today, he is a testament to the power of an opportunity, the impact of community, and the belief that no matter where you come from, you can build a future.
