Working with LIFT, Gary tailored his resumé for different industries and researched opportunities for skilled, experienced workers. Volunteers coached him with computer and internet skills so that he could apply to jobs on his own. At the same time, volunteers also helped Gary navigate his unemployment appeal process so that until he was gainfully employed again, he could receive supplemental income and maintain his apartment, where he lives with his 6 year-old son Khalil.
After coming to LIFT multiple times a week for over a year and cobbling together a series of part-time jobs, Gary was finally able to secure a full-time job as a meter reader. He recently took an additional part-time job as a driver with the University of Pennsylvania and is looking toward saving for the future with Khalil and his fiancé Sharon.
Gary's smile widens when he talks about the dedication of LIFT volunteers, saying, "The volunteers are always willing to work with you. They take you right away, the door is always open. There is nothing that they won’t do to help you out and they consistently go beyond the call of duty. They make my life so much better—it’s hard to find help today working on these things, but LIFT is always there for me."
