Genaro Welds His Way to Success
Genaro Perez’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of determination, support, and opportunity provided by The Doe Fund. Recently, the Ready, Willing & Able Workforce Development team was able to interview Genaro amidst his busy schedule to delve into his recent and rapid successes as a professional welder.
When Genaro Perez walked through the doors of The Doe Fund’s Gates Avenue transitional facility on February 23, 2023, he carried with him a fierce determination to turn his life around. Having struggled with addiction and homelessness, Genaro knew that the tools he needed to rebuild his future awaited him within those walls.
In just his initial two months in Ready, Willing & Able, Genaro set ambitious goals for himself: to regain his New York State Driver’s license and obtain his High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE).
His determination and hard work paid off as he obtained his driver’s license in June and successfully passed three HSE subjects—Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts—in September. With only the Math component remaining, Genaro is confident that he will soon achieve his High School Equivalency Diploma.
Initially, Genaro had aspirations of enrolling in the Culinary Arts career training track, given his prior work experience. However, upon learning about the welding program , he realized that it offered him a greater opportunity for success. Reflecting on his training experience, Genaro shared, “The training experience was exceptional. It provided me with the essential tools, instruction, and practice to master the basics of my craft and obtain my American Welding Society certification.”
When asked about the support he received from The Doe Fund during his journey, Genaro emphasized its role in helping him maintain his recovery and sobriety. Under the guidance of John Neloms, his Community Improvement Project supervisor, Genaro was able to reintegrate into a regular workflow and remain sober. He also praised the mandatory classes offered by The Doe Fund, which prepared him and honed his computer and job search skills.
Following his AWS certification, Genaro diligently searched for Welder positions. While he applied to numerous jobs in New York and New Jersey, it was Assa Abloy in Pennsylvania that responded with an interview opportunity. Genaro not only aced the interview but also excelled in the company’s welding test. His first day on the job was the following Monday, leading him to make the move to Easton, PA. Despite the perceived risks, Genaro credited The Doe Fund’s resources and support for his successful transition, saying, “I feel like I’ve won; everything is working out for me within just 10 months!”
Today, Genaro Perez holds the position of Metal Fabricator-Millwright-Welder at Assa Abloy. He started as a Welder and swiftly advanced to roles as a Metal Fabricator and Millwright. As a Metal Fabricator, Genaro is responsible for cutting, shaping, positioning, and aligning various types of metal for construction purposes, including door frames and window frames. In his role as a Millwright, he specializes in repairing and reassembling metal machinery equipment.
As a Welder, Genaro’s primary responsibility involves measuring and joining large metal pieces with precision and high heat to construct door frames used in major department stores and schools. His duties also include reading blueprints, adhering to safety protocols by wearing protective gear, and ensuring equipment is in optimal condition.
One of the highlights of Genaro’s career is his membership in the Sheet Metal Welders Union Local 19, which offers competitive salary increases, comprehensive benefits, job security, advanced training, and stability. Reflecting on his work, Genaro shared, “I truly love everything about my job, from reading blueprints and mastering various welding techniques to operating diverse machinery for metal fabrication and handling the repair of metal machinery equipment. My colleagues are fantastic, and they continually support my growth in the Welding Career. It feels like I’m getting paid to have fun!”
Finally, when asked to offer advice to trainees in The Doe Fund’s program, Genaro imparted valuable wisdom. He encouraged them to create a game plan and set achievable goals during their program participation. Genaro emphasized the importance of mental strength, dedication, honesty with oneself, and kindness. He reminded trainees not to underestimate their support systems, expressing gratitude for the support of his parents, children, sister, and others. Genaro’s parting words were a testament to his journey: “Hard work, ambition, and determination can truly pay off if you remain humble, open-minded, and most importantly, never give up on yourself.”
