“I could not give up on a four-week program. There’s no better opportunity than this out there. Why would I quit on something that is just four weeks of training to improve my life, my situation?”
For years Julie* was a stay-at-home mother to her four children. She always envisioned more for herself and her family, but being her children’s sole caregiver, she simply couldn’t get out of the home and into the workforce.
In 2018, the marriage to her oldest children’s father was strained. She physically suffered at his hands and sought help to escape the domestic violence she endured in their relationship.
“I was able to get out of that situation and took domestic violence classes at Fresh Start during that time. My kids and I went into a UMom shelter, and I knew I had to make better choices for my children.”
She did everything she could think of to better their situation, even helping her children’s father.
“I felt like he never wanted to change his ways, even though he said he did. He never committed to getting personal help or improving his situation so that we could take care of our children.”
Resolute in the knowledge that divorce and caring for the children on her own was the best course of action, Julie turned to government aid to keep their lives’ as stable as possible.
“We’ve survived through government housing, subsidized living like Section 8. That’s how I’ve been able to keep a roof over my children’s heads.”
Julie started taking classes at the community college in hopes of attaining her associate’s degree and taking loans out to provide for their daily living. After her divorce, she had two more children, furthering her responsibilities as the sole provider in her household.
“It’s been hard, and I’ve been able to get by because of government assistance, but I don’t want to be at home. I want to be out there like other adults, feeling good about myself, like a part of society, like I contribute or give back in some kind of way.”
While trying to better herself and keep her mindset positive, Julie was proud that she was resourceful for the benefit of her children. When they entered government housing, she also applied to get her two oldest children the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account which put them in private school.
“My children have been able to experience a different form of education. I’m proud that I’m knowledgeable in many ways. For someone like me in Section 8 Housing, food stamps, on Medicaid; some women in my area might not have the motivation or the ability to change or to see more than just the funding that the government gave us.
I’m glad that I can look beyond where we are now and see and know that I want to be different…There will be a day that I’m off these government programs.”
In May 2023, after 10 years of working toward her higher education, Julie received her associate degree. But with that monumental milestone completed, she wondered what she could do now without a particular skill or area of expertise.
“I thought by this time in my life I would have a desired field that I wanted to go into. Then I saw the opportunity with Fresh Start after getting an email from them about the cable harness 10-day bootcamp.”
After looking through Fresh Start’s resources online, Julie felt like her needs and the opportunities provided by the organization were aligned.
“I was seeking experience and a trade. I’m ultimately seeking employment, and not just something that pays minimum wage because I have four children that I need to provide for. I need to get a higher-than-average wage so that I can get off the government programs.”
She completed the 10-day bootcamp and was highly motivated to dive right into whichever Fresh Start career training course started next.
“I feel like I owe my children whatever I can give them… If I don’t have the money to provide for them then I’m holding them back, so there’s guilt there. I’m ready to get out there and make something of myself to provide the life I want for them.”
Julie applied for Fresh Start’s Cable Harness Wiring program beginning in April 2024 and passed the initial assessment. She didn’t know much about the role, but had worked in warehouses and on assembly lines before.
“One of the turning points was when I got the email from Fresh Start team member Trey saying that I was accepted into the cable harness program. I kept telling myself that I need this.”
The cable harness wiring bootcamp gave Julie the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized certificate in less than two weeks. She also received help with her resume and interview skills.
During the two weeks, Julie occasionally had to drive to class at Mesa Community College in a vehicle with expired plates. Even after she got pulled over and was given a warning by the police, she never had the thought of giving up or quitting.
“There’s no better opportunity out there. Why would I give up on something that is just four weeks of training to improve my life, my situation? Why would I take it for granted?”
In the accelerated certificate course, Julie was very empowered by the other women in her class and the environment created with their shared goals.
“These women motivated me to step up, to change and do things better and differently than just trying to get by. I feel like success has changed for me in that it’s okay to have support around you to be successful.”
Julie and her peers supported each other in learning and had each other’s backs through coursework and hands-on training. They even shared information about things going on in the community.
“It’s inspiring to have other women going through the same thing, trying to make a difference somehow. These women are like me: stay-at-home moms, or looking to change careers, or get out of long-term marriages. It is a sisterhood.”
When Julie and her classmates reached the end of the course, she couldn’t believe how quickly it went by. She recalled the very first day when Fresh Start Senior Director of Career, Education and Financial Management Adrianna shared that there were 500 applicants to the program, 50 accepted, and the group in the room that day were the ones that took the steps to get into the program.
“She told us that we were lucky and special, and I remember those words, and she’s right. There’s no room for giving up.”
With a certificate to her name, Julie saw a future that included new career and financial aspirations, including thinking about the long-term plan for her children so they’d be set, even after she’s gone.
“I hope my story will inspire and impact other women to take that risk, that opportunity to improve herself… If you can find the motivation within yourself, that’s all you need. The support around you that Fresh Start has to offer was a bonus, and there were no barriers because we had support and guidance from Fresh Start.”
After completing the Cable Harness Wiring program, as well as the Composite Technician program, Julie was hired in a full-time role as an Assembler at Honeywell.