Kevin’s Story: Take the first step and never give up!

Taking the first step and never giving up resulted in Kevin finding security in a job he loves… and the opportunity to teach kids to play Baseball too!

After the market crash in 2008 Kevin found himself out of a job for the first time in over a decade. The company he worked for closed, leaving its employees with short notice and few job prospects in a community that was really struggling.

At home money was tight. With a family of 4 to support and no income, Kevin went on social assistance and kept trying. Through his support worker he heard about the Property Maintenance Training course at Pathways and decided to take the leap.

The months flew by quickly. Kevin learned how to use equipment and hands-on techniques. His class went out into the community learning how to work with equipment and implement practices out in “the real world”. As the class was coming to a close, and with the co-op placement approaching, Kevin picked up the phone and called a local school. After careful consideration, they accepted his proposal and brought him onsite for a 40 hour co-op.

Since then Kevin has been working for the same organization. “I am happy. I really like working in the schools. And now I have huge stability in my life. I don’t have to rely on social assistance anymore. I have a good job.” He loves working in the school environment so much that he is also covering lunch duty two times a week.

With the Principal’s support Kevin, who has coached midget baseball in his spare time for over a decade, has started a Baseball Club teaching children the basics. “Many of these kids would never have had the opportunity to try out this sport.  There are lots of struggles in the community and so far the kids are having a great time”

Kevin’s Takeaway:

“If I could tell other people who were in my position one thing I would say Never Give Up and Network. There is always a door open out there. Social services and Pathways turned my life around. There are people out there who will listen. You’ve just gotta take the first step”.