Voices of Hope – Aaron H.

“I moved out when I was 16 years old, and I got caught with armed burglary charges. I was sent to a youthful offender camp and was released in 1999. I stayed out of trouble until 2009 when I got into opiates. I was doing stupid stuff like selling pills and ending up getting caught when I broke into a storage unit. I was sentenced to 21 months and was released again in 2013.

“I knew that if I continued with the same lifestyle, then nothing good would come of it, so I committed to changing my ways. I enrolled in the Center of Hope program in Clearwater, Florida and became a leader in that program. However, my past caught me again, and I was transported back to Duval and charged with prior offenses that I hadn’t been punished for yet.

“I was released from prison the last time on April 26, 2016, and I came to Operation New Hope. I worked hard in the Ready4Work program and earned Student of Week. Applying everything I learned from the team, I got an immediate offer from Miller Electric earning $8.55 per hour. I was so excited to have this opportunity to pursue a real career path and entered their apprenticeship program. I just completed my journeyman license, and I’m now making $25 per hour. Next year, I’ll earn another raise and be making $32 per hour. Miller is a great company. It makes me feel good that people see my hard work and make me feel appreciated.

“My life is so good now. I’ve been clean since 2011. I bought a nice 4 bedroom house. I have a 4 year old daughter, and I’m engaged to be married. I just took my first vacation in 6 years, and I earned it. I finally got my voting rights restored and received my passport, both of which are a big accomplishment for me! My life is full of serenity, and I’m financially and mentally secure.

“People always ask me how I did it, and I tell them that I surround myself with good people who are the building blocks of success. Operation New Hope has given me a better outlook on life, and I’m so thankful.”