Client Profiles

Linh Truc Nguyen

"I’m a very determined person. I have been looking for work [for several weeks], and it was very hard, but I never gave up, because I really want to work and take care of my family.

"My job coach at HIRED took me to an interview at Kentucky Fried Chicken. The interviewer was going to hire me for $6.75 an hour, but then he found out he didn’t have a position open. But he said, 'Linh, you’re a good person, I don’t want to lose you,' and he sent me to apply at another KFC. The manager there, Andy, wanted to interview me on Saturday. My job coach was going to go out of town that day, but he changed his plans so he could take me to the interview. After I talked with Andy, he hired me right away, for even more money, $7.25 an hour.

"I started working [the next] week and I really like my job. The first day, Andy showed me everything about my job and he was very surprised when I learned it all the first time. He didn’t have to tell me anything twice. Andy said, 'Linh, you’re a very good person. We’re very lucky to have you.'"

Steven Clark

For many years, Steven Clark owned and operated his own tiling business. He was good at the work, and an extensive client list provided steady employment. That changed with a criminal conviction.

Steven was referred to HIRED after being released from prison. Working with his HIRED counselor, Larry Anderson, Steven decided that although he wasn’t opposed to reentering the tiling industry, he wanted to explore career options that would match his new perspective on life. Unfortunately, Steven soon found that many careers are not options for ex-offenders. Steven said, “In a sense, I felt blacklisted, but I wasn’t about to let it get me down.”

After reaching a number of dead-ends, Steven decided to return to tiling. Through a network of connections from his prior business, he was able to find a company that would give him a job if he could provide his own tools and transportation. “And that’s where HIRED really stepped in and got me off to a running start,” said Steven. “Larry was able to use program funds to help me start up, get the correct tools and get my vehicle in working order.”