J has graduated from our employment training program and is celebrating one year at her new job at TPI. She stopped by our warehouse to say hi + shared some reflections about her new job, her time at GU and future goals. 

I heard you are celebrating one year at your TPI job, congrats! What is entailed in your current role?

I make sure the ladies don’t break the rules! It’s graveyard so they are mostly asleep, but I get to mentor them and help them find resources and certain agencies. I do bed rounds and make sure everything is safe and orderly. I sanitize every few hours, do laundry. 

How do you feel like Ground Up prepared you for this job opportunity?

Before coming to GU I didn’t know where I was gonna be. I was homeless, depressed, broke, no confidence and didn’t believe in myself. I thought nobody would hire me. I’m so glad I found Ground Up. You all helped me with my confidence and taught me I could be anywhere I want to be. All I had to do was believe in myself. That’s exactly what Ground Up did for me. I want to be a juvenile mentor for girls that are having trouble or juvenile offenders and I believe my job now will help me with that. 

What have you learned during your time at TPI?

Everybody’s the same and I have to treat them equally. Homeless people are just like us, they just don’t have a home. Everybody has a story and I don’t want to judge anybody.

How do you feel your personal experiences have helped you support women in your current role?

I was homeless before and I had all these barriers. I know exactly what it’s like to be homeless in the position that these women are in. I know what it’s like to have DHS involved with your kids. I can feel sympathy and know what they’re going through. 

Are you in your dream job or what is your next goal / path you want to head on?

I’m not in my dream job but I’m in my mom’s dream job. She always wanted to open a shelter. But I personally want to work with teenage girls so they don’t end up homeless and without my kids. I want to help them make better decision and I think this will help me get better experience.

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J is our labelling master - she loves it! She is also becoming a pro at using our filling machine which is impressive because it is not an easy task. We’re so inspired by the strong, hardworking women on our team and are excited to introduce you to J!

What has your experience with Ground Up been like? How has it helped your confidence?

It’s helped a lot with my confidence. I didn’t have a lot of hope before Ground Up. It’s built a lot of confidence for me and I’ve done things that I didn’t even know I could do. Some of the things I do,  I didn’t even know I had in me. 

What does it mean to you to have a job and be back in the workforce?

I look forward to going to work every day… Honestly, I wish I could be here everyday! I really enjoy it. The hours go by so quick. It goes by too fast. I could label all day! I love it!

What is the community at Ground Up like? What does having this community mean to you?

I normally just don’t like being around women…. There’s drama, they’re catty. Here everyone has a job to do, they are here for a reason and I like that a lot. When I was in the hospital, some new employees were hired and the staff changed, but coming back, it feels like I never even left. Everyone is great. 

What do you like to do for fun?

Since I’ve been out of the hospital I’ve been doing a lot of walking to strengthen my legs. I like to walk to the park or find some stairs. 

What is your favorite Ground Up nut butter flavor + favorite way to enjoy it?

Snickerdoodle. I just like to eat it straight out of the jar with a spoon!

What do you hope to do after Ground Up?

My dream job is to be a juvenile mentor. I want to be a mentor for young girls that are heading down the wrong path. I went down the wrong path as a teenager, so I know how it can get started. I want to be able to steer them in another direction.