Ashley was pregnant with Bobby and completing her senior year of high school at the Toledo alternative school, while working part-time at Mariner Square. Frank had graduated high school, was doing odd jobs for cash, and struggling to get his driver’s license so he could get a better job.
With no stable housing, they were shifting back and forth between Ashley’s grandma’s home and Frank’s dad’s trailer, with the added stress of securing rides to work and school and their “in-between” homes. Ashley and Frank were excited to hear about CSC’s Youth Programs, which focus on helping participants complete their education while teaching them job-specific skills. They secured positions on the YouthBuild construction crew, where students gain construction skills and work experience by building, repairing or renovating houses for low-income families.
Ashley and Frank worked full-time for nine months on projects that taught them basic construction skills that they use today. Frank reported that they had “remodeled the bathroom at Dad’s house – we gutted the whole thing,” and Ashley used her mudding and painting skills on a repair project at work.
“I loved the program,” Ashley said, “and if I could do it again, I would.”
In addition to the construction crew, Frank successfully completed the 10-week Basic Welding course offered by CSC, which he says made him feel very successful.
“This was always my main thing, anything having to do with fusing metals. But when I took the course, it took a lot of effort to learn this skill. I realized that it wasn’t just fusing two pieces of metal; it was like an art, to bring two pieces that were never conjoined, to come together into one piece, and do it the same way every time and with your own unique style,” he shook his head, remembering.
“It took a lot of ‘mind strength’ you know: to show up early every day and work hard. And we weren’t getting paid, but we were getting paid in skills, not money.” Frank still has the goal of a permanent job as a welder.
Frank and Ashley were referred to CSC’s Housing & Emergency Assistance Department for help with their housing needs. They successfully completed the Tenant Assistance program, which helped them secure their first apartment and receive the guidance of a case manager to set goals. They both agree that the help this program gave them was invaluable.
Ashley commented, “It gave us a chance to get our first place and I was able to stay home with Bobby for his first eight months.” The structure of the program, especially the monitoring, “kept us on our toes, alert, and on top of everything,” said Frank, and helped them to stay on track with their goals.
They remarked specifically on the classes offered as part of the program—the energy class and the low-budget cooking class, which were very helpful. For Frank, being able to save to get his license back was a huge accomplishment. “Being in the program helped me pay off my fines and finally get my license,” Frank said, who now has his driver’s license and the freedom it brings.
Ashley and Frank recently moved to California, where they live close to Frank’s family. They have a house, and are expecting their second child. Frank is working and Ashley is a stay-at-home mom, which she loves. The young couple is truly a success due to their desire to improve their circumstances, their hard work, and the support of CSC’s skill-building programs that give young people tools for life!
To learn more about CSC’s programs and services visit us on the web at www.communityservices.us and like us on Facebook.
