Life can have many obstacles, but now that Angelo has graduated from the Transformation Program, he feels like a changed man.
Angelo worked various jobs after dropping out of school, and at 20, he had a daughter. While he loved his daughter, Angelo knew he was unprepared to be a father, “I should’ve had my life more in order, I should’ve been older, but still, I don’t regret having my daughter. I love her.”
Unfortunately, the relationship didn’t last long, and when his daughter was three years old, his girlfriend had an affair and left with their daughter to Texas. This put Angelo in a deep depression that lasted seven years. “I didn’t want to work, I didn’t want to do anything,” recounts Angelo.
Eventually, Angelo put his life back together and met another woman. They moved to Reading, but after a severe plumbing problem, they found themselves homeless. They moved into a shelter where, unfortunately, Angelo got involved with the wrong people.
“I got into some bad stuff.” Said Angelo. This put him in a cycle of incarceration and strained his relationships. But he knew he had to change, so while volunteering at a church, he asked the pastor for help. The pastor sent Angelo to us. He wanted to change, so he enrolled in the Transformation Program as soon as he could. Angelo credits his change on the program, “It taught me to think things through, and reflect on my actions. Now I think about the consequences of my actions carefully.”
Angelo now works in the Clean Team Workforce, where he’s lauded for his strong work ethic. He plans to work, save money, get a car, rent an apartment, reconnect with his family, and restore his relationship with his daughter. And maybe go back to school and get his GED.
Good luck, Angelo! You’ve been through some tough times, but we know you have what it takes to turn your life around.
