Voices of Hope – Robert B.

“I was a medically retired combat veteran working as a supply and logistics manager when I got into trouble. I knew better, but I broke the law trying to help my sick mother, and I was sentenced to prison. I had no idea how badly a felony conviction would affect my future. The harsh truth is that once you are adjudicated, your life is forever changed. I had experience and abilities, but I no longer had the opportunities.

When I got out of prison in December 2012, I had no money, no work release, and was sleeping under the dining table at my dad’s house. I couldn’t find a job. All that was available was minimum wage, part-time work, and you just can’t live on that. Everyone told me to go to Operation New Hope’s Ready4Work program, so I did. Even with my work experience, I found the program to be really helpful. It taught me how to set short-term goals in order to achieve the long-term goals in a more manageable way. It also opened my eyes to different people’s struggles and barriers to recovering from life choices that go wrong.

After the Ready4Work program, I decided to pursue my education. While working as a warehouse manager, I attended classes, graduated from FSCJ, and then went on to get my degree in Business Administration. I now work as the Warehouse Operations Manager at Priority Tire.

I’ve used Operation New Hope as a hiring resource at all three management jobs I’ve had. I believe in giving everyone a second chance – it’s up to them if they want to make the most out of the opportunity. I know that most people coming out of prison want to do something with their life, but just don’t know how. I pride myself on mentoring my team on finance, credit management, and decision making. I am hoping I can help keep young people from making the same mistakes I did.

The U.S. is supposed to be the land of the free, but we’re not. I really believe that we can fix mass incarceration just by showing people a different way, and that’s exactly what Operation New Hope is doing.”