I‘m 52 years old. I‘m on my way back to being self-sufficient. It‘s been a long journey to get back here. I first became homeless when I was released from prison in 1993 and had nowhere to go with no money to fall back on. I‘ve had a hard time finding a job because no one wants to hire someone who has been in jail even though the reason I went to jail in the first place was because I was an addict.

That‘s where Project Comeback, ACE‘s job readiness program changed my life. There are a couple of things that make it harder for me to find a job than most people. I have a criminal record, and since I was incarcerated, I have a gap in employment on my resume. I also have a learning disorder that sometimes has made it hard for me to fill out job applications and find work. But Project Comeback helped me learn how to have confidence in the skills that I do have, overcome my anxiety and be able to show that to an employer on an interview.

With Project Comeback‘s help, I got a job at Montclair State University and have been working there now for nearly a year. I am saving up money to move into an apartment of my own. My life is back on track, and will keep improving. I have Project Comeback to thank for motivating me and believing in me.