Jerome Bonaparte: on the road to a new life

Posted by Calvin on February 4, 2010 under Trainee Profiles | Be the First to Comment

Once a "man in blue", Jerome is now going green at Resource Recovery.

Jerome Bonaparte was in the Queensboro Correctional Facility prison when he heard about Ready, Willing & Able (RWA). He says he was “itching for a start in society.” After completing three months of assignments cleaning New York City’s streets, he received the offer that had attracted him to RWA: a place in our biodiesel feedstock collection program, Resource Recovery. Jerome was delighted: “Getting my Commercial Driver’s License was the draw. I like driving and knew the CDL would give me an opportunity to work in a very employable field.”

While interning at Resource Recovery as a trainee, he learned the basics of collecting oil, the routes, and customer service. The work was a necessary part of his journey. “Being outside is just like teaching a baby. He must crawl, get bumped, but the more he tries, the next time is not as bad. All the while, I kept my ambitions high.”

Jerome continued to give his all to his internship and because of his dependability and strong work ethic, he was hired as a full-time Resource Recovery driver. The work’s environmental aspect inspires Jerome. “I never knew that old cooking oil could be used for something positive. Diesel fuel burns better, with fewer emissions and fumes and helps society to help breathe cleaner air. Working here is a way to give back.” With his love of driving and his experience at Resource Recovery, he hopes to open a trucking business. ” I was offered opportunities to reach high at The Doe Fund. So I’m going to keep on reaching.”

Man in Blue: Michael Davis

Posted by Ken on September 11, 2009 under Trainee Profiles | Be the First to Comment

Michael Davis had a stable job, comfortable home, and loving relationship, before an accidental fire led him down a harrowing road of uncertainty and instability that resulted in his incarceration.  Upon release from prison, Michael was resolved to rebuild the life that the fire had burned down.  Turning to The Doe Fund for help, he found just the opportunities he was seeking.  Ask Michael how Ready, Willing & Able helped transform his life and he’ll tell you: “If it wasn’t for RWA I don’t think I would be in the position I am in.  RWA changed my whole life.  I’m thinking positive now; I’m not going back to jail anymore.” Today Michael is on his way to getting his old life back: he’s reconciled with his children and their mother, has several job interviews lined up, and–because of the hard work and saving he has done in RWA– is closer than ever to obtaining his own place.