FSET has provided me with the opportunity to become a paralegal.
Jason stood at the gates of the prison, the weight of nearly 20 years behind bars pressing heavily on his shoulders. The world had changed dramatically since he left, and the job market and advanced technology felt like an alien landscape. But Jason had a plan.
During his time in prison, he had taken on the challenge of handling his own legal work, and this experience had sparked a new career goal: to become a paralegal.
For now, Jason needed to find work to make money and secure his own place. He was staying at a transitional living program, but he knew this was only a temporary solution. He needed a job to save money, find a place of his own, and get certified as a paralegal.
Jason’s journey began with a referral from FoodShare. As a FoodShare member, he was automatically eligible for our FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) program. This program was a lifeline, offering him the support he needed to rebuild his life. Jason expressed his goal of becoming a paralegal, driven by his desire to help others in similar situations and, hopefully, offer his services free of charge in the future.
Enrolling in FSET was the first step. With help from his FSET case manager, Jason rebuilt his resume and began the daunting task of job hunting. It wasn’t long before he secured a full-time position with benefits at a local paper mill. The program also provided gas vouchers to ensure Jason could get to work and covered the costs for him to enroll in the online Paralegal Program through the Blackstone Career Institute.
Jason’s determination was unwavering. Not even a month out of prison, he was already working full-time and enrolled in school. His hard work and dedication are paying off, and he is on track to achieve his goal of becoming a paralegal. Now, Jason plans to complete the paralegal course while continuing to work full-time, and then transition into a full-time paralegal role.
At the start, Jason had been unsure of his next steps, but now he had a clear path for his future. With his resilience and determination, there was no doubt he will achieve whatever he set his mind to.
Know of someone who can benefit from our FSET program? Have them connect with us today.
