Overcoming a Tough Childhood
Erick Reyes was referred to SERJobs by his parole officer after his release from prison. He endured a rough childhood, having lost both his parents at a young age, and made some poor choices as a result.
“My mother passed away from cancer when I was young,” Mr. Reyes stated, “then a few years later, my dad was robbed and murdered right in front of me. After that, I became careless and did things I shouldn’t have done. When I went to prison, I became a better person during those six years and became more mature. While I was there, I set goals for when I got home.”
Those goals include: getting a job, being a better father, traveling; getting his CDL license; and buying a house. Today, Mr. Reyes has accomplished his first four goals and is now purchasing his first home.
When Mr. Reyes arrived at SERJobs, he immediately enrolled in CDL training. As a single father of a young child, he felt that this career pathway would result in employment that would allow him to provide well for his family.
Throughout and after his training, Mr. Reyes kept close contact with SER staff. He was determined to utilize the coaching and job referrals he received to obtain employment that he considered “substantial, stable, and promising.”
Mr. Reyes has obtained a great job with Martin Preferred Foods and is committed to being a great employee due to their support and commitment to his progress.
Mr. Reyes is exceptionally grateful for the assistance and support of SERJobs. He stated that he wants to show his appreciation by offering to provide updates on his professional progress and that he would also like to provide support to the youth and young adults who come to SERJobs.
“I want to give back,” Mr. Reyes stated. “when you’re young, you can become careless. I feel like I can relate to young people who become careless. I want them to know that they don’t have to learn the hard way. If I can advise young people to keep them from making the mistakes I made, I feel like I will have fulfilled my mission.”
SER Career Coach, Tamira West, worked closely with Mr. Reyes and wished to convey the following:
I am honored to speak to the character and undeniable work ethic of Mr. Erick Reyes. I have been his career coach at SERJobs Houston since February of 2020. Mr. Reyes has proven to be one of, if not the best, clients I have had the privilege to work with since my tenure at SER. It is not every day that you meet a young person with such a clear insight into his goals, ambitions, and the trajectory that he aspires to ascertain in his career path. Since meeting and engaging with him, he has always been persistent, reliable, devoted, and malleable in his dedication to obtaining his license. He is a staunch and committed employee and has never wavered in the performance of his responsibilities, all while being a remarkable single father. In addition, Mr. Reyes was a diligent and devoted student in SER’s CDL training, where he recently obtained his Class A CDL certification.
On his behalf, I would like to emphasize with enthusiasm how diligent, rigorous, and thorough he has become. With his proven leadership and commitment to excellence, he is an invaluable employee and has the potential to grow in his current position. Mr. Reyes shows up every day with an honest and concise approach to the tasks at hand in whatever he is focused on. He has all of the basics mastered, demonstrated in his schooling and work. He is punctual, respectful, safety-conscious, and meticulous in all he is tasked to do. His humility is a testament to all that he has endured and overcame thus far in his young life.
Thank you for taking the time to allow me to opine on this exceptional client for your knowledge. Mr. Reyes’ employer is astonished by what an impeccable employee he is looking to his long-term employment with their company.