Jimmy

After working for the same tech company for 14 years, Jimmy was laid off. The single father of two wasn’t worried at the time. “I had a degree in Business, I was skilled in IT, and I had an adequate savings account.” But months later, his savings were depleted, his unemployment benefits were exhausted, and Jimmy was still unemployed. “I couldn’t even find an entry level job to help make ends meet—everyone said I was overqualified. I was driving for Uber to make some money.”

Jimmy went from making over $100,000 annually to having a monthly income of less than $1,000, and ended up filing for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, more commonly known as welfare. “When I came to The Women’s Center, I was literally at the end of my rope. I had nowhere else to turn. I didn’t even know The Center existed, and I definitely didn’t know they helped men!”

Jimmy completed skills training and earned several new IT certifications. “The training I received at The Women’s Center helped me position myself competitively and made me realize the importance of consistent training.” With his new certifications, Jimmy was hired by a major internet based retailer, which relocated him to California where he was once again making an annual salary of more than $100,000.

“It’s not cliché. The Women’s Center gave me hope. They were a godsend in my life! I don’t think I’ve reached the ‘end result’—my story is just at the beginning.”