This is for the newcomers. Good luck, you are in the right place for help. I was sitting at home thinking about when I first came to Project Read for help. Looking back over the years, I met with a lady by the name of Heather. She was so nice to me. She had me do some reading and some writing, and then told me, “Yes, you do need some help.” I think that was 2002. In addition, she put me with one of the best tutors by the name of Genanne. Today I would like to tell Genanne and Heather “thank you,” because from that day I made a commitment that I would not give up on myself, and that I would go back to school and get a job. I needed to do more with my life.
On October 31, 2003, I started working at the VA (Veterans Affairs) hospital in the CWT (Compensated Work Therapy) program that helps veterans get back on their feet and overcome homelessness. I worked with the Engineering Department. In April 2005, I became a permanent worker at the VA working in the EMS (Environment Management Services) Department. My duties were cleaning all over the VA and in the OR (Operating Room). I worked nights for two and a half years. On May 14, 2007, I was back doing what I like to do, re-lamping lights, installing ceiling tiles, and doing all types of repairs. I am working at the VA hospital in the Engineering department as a maintenance helper and hoping to become a journeyman maintenance worker soon.
Today I feel happy and very grateful for all the help getting to where I am. We put in weekend after weekend here at Project Read reading and writing. Now that I’m back on days I can go back to school and get my BA. I’m reading more on the job and writing each day and typing as well. It’s hard but I just cannot give up. So newcomers, if I can do it you can do it too. Just keep coming back and call on your higher power. All you need to do is to keep the faith.
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