Work Week: Javier’s Story
Hello KCB blog readers..
It's “Work” week here at KCB and we got to hear from Javier, a current Good Soil Industries participant who's been putting in the effort and seeing doors swing wide open in his life.
Javier first heard about GSI through the local shelter here in Bellflower and by passing by/visiting the Community Center himself.. but the real push came from his brother. Javier’s brother went through the GSI program himself and landed a full-time job after graduating. “My brother got a full-time job out of this program,” Javier said. Seeing the impact that close was enough to get him to walk through our doors and start looking for a shot. Before GSI, Javier was stuck. “I was lacking work,” he told George, GSI’s Employment Development Case Manager. “I had applied for many jobs and never had any luck because I felt no one wanted to take a chance on me.” Financial struggles were beginning to weigh on him.. and it seemed like a steady gig was seemingly impossible to land. Odd jobs here and there that lasted a couple days was the norm for Javier. No real direction.. no real know-how on where to even look. He shared with us that he’d literally starve some nights or scrape by on small bites from whatever he could find.. just bouncing around life with no real stability.
But then.. he stepped into KCB and filled out a job application. “As soon as I walked in to this place, I just felt good,” he shared. “Not knowing if I'd get hired or not, I met some amazing people and that gave me hope that help was out there waiting for me as long as I did my part to look.” Just getting that call back for the interview seemed to flip a switch in him. “It gave me the confidence to know that someone was willing to give me a chance to just even interview.” And when he got the nod.. it was game on.
Now, with GSI.. Javier’s got stable work that's “opening doors I never thought would be open to me.” His basic necessities are being met. GSI’s Director Gene picks him up from the shelter on Mondays to make sure he's on time. He has access to hygiene kits, workshops, resources.. and they're all building him up. It’s all a blessing, and not just the “things,” but also the development. “The informative workshops that are held in the office for us to learn new things for our everyday life,” he said. It's not just a job; it's preparation. Financial classes, skills training.. it's shaping a future he can see clearly now.
For Javier, having a place to work means everything it didn't before. “Before it meant nothing because I was bouncing around,” he said. “But now it gets me motivated in the mornings to wake up and gives me a sense of security.” He's focused on goals: getting on his feet, prepping for bigger work, financial stability. “It is just up to me to challenge myself to do better and succeed in this program.”
And the community itself? “You guys are like superheroes,” he laughed. “It meant everything that I have a place I can come to instead of bouncing around different areas for help.” Shoutout to George for the interview and chance to prove his skills, Valerie at the front desk for always being kind and helpful, and the whole team.. “everyone is always ready to help with kindness and the knowledge they have.”
Javier's got hard-earned wisdom for anyone in the struggle: “It is not a bad thing to take any type of work, locally or anywhere. We all have to start somewhere and we all have to put our pride aside in order to succeed in this life. Pride has no place in being successful.”
“Just go forward. If I don’t go or take action now, nothing will happen and time will just pass you by.”
To the donors and partners keeping GSI going: “They are not going unappreciated,” Javier said. “Their contribution means the world to people like me that are looking for help to go on the right direction.” These programs are eye-openers. “I and other people never knew of places like these where we can get the help we need and deserve.”
Work Week is about this.. work that restores dignity and says you belong here. Javier’s now motivated, learning, and growing with a crew that's more like family than co-workers. “It means that I have somewhere to go to work and have friends and be myself and be a part of a community that is growing together.”
So let's keep Javier in our prayers.. for his hustle, his goals, and his light to keep shining. Pray for GSI, for every participant stepping up, for the team giving chances. Your support is what turns odd jobs into opportunities. It turns starvation and hunger into success and hope. It turns stories like the old Javier into the new one.
Javier.. keep going forward. We're proud of you man..
Until next time..
