Voices of Hope – Julien K.

“As I was preparing to complete my 10-year prison sentence, I met Ronnie Cage from Operation New Hope at a reentry seminar at Lake Butler RMC. The Ready4Work program sounded like it was just what I needed after release, but my release officer said that I didn’t qualify for the program. So I went back to my hometown of Orlando, but God had different plans. After visiting the downtown courthouse a few days after my release, I walked over to the Ready4Work Orlando program location, and enrolled to start the program the very next week. It was the best decision I ever made.

“The entire team at Operation New Hope welcomed me with open arms. I learned so much from the program. The financial literacy and technology training, mentorship, counseling, and resume building were all so helpful. The program did everything it was designed to do and set me up for success. I took advantage of the vocational training and enrolled in the 8-week culinary program. The day after I completed the program, I was hired at Brick and Spoon in Winter Park. I then went to work preparing food at Seaworld, and now I’m working as the grill cook at AdventHealth in Welch’s Cafe. I’ve been here a month now, and I love it. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t change it for the world. And this is just the beginning!