Starting over isn’t easy and transforming your life in the middle of a pandemic is even harder, but Nathaniel knows the rewards of taking a chance and asking for support when you need it. 

In 2019, Nathaniel moved to Raleigh with plans to make positive choices and seek new opportunities. He found StepUp and completed the Employment Training Workshop in July of 2019 to gain resume and interview advice, access to potential employers and support throughout his job search. His next step was to enroll in the Step2/Life Skills program to continue working towards his goals.

Step2 is a 48-week program that focuses on developing financial literacy and communications skills, creating a network, building savings and providing job support. Each participant is paired with a copartner that serves as a friend and mentor. Nathaniel was meeting weekly and building a community with his copartner, case manager and the rest of the Step2 participants. 

The pandemic hit in the middle of Nathaniel’s journey through Step2. This major life upheaval was hard on everyone, but StepUp shifted all programming, Step2 moved to virtual platforms and Nathaniel stuck with it. 

Throughout the 48 weeks, Nathaniel regained his driver’s license, got a new job, earned a promotion and is currently on his way to a second promotion. 

“I went from [being] a driver to a crew manager to now being in a position to be shop manager so that is the greatest accomplishment that has come through this life skills program.”

Nathaniel had goals in mind, StepUp just helped him get there. He graduated from the program in September along with nine other participants. When asked about the biggest lesson he learned from the life skills program, Nathaniel said, “The biggest thing that I’ve taken from the life skills program is to continue in persistence, to continue to keep going no matter what it looks like, no matter what obstacles come, that you can make it through.”

Today, Nathaniel is making plans for his future career growth and success. He says, “I’m just dreaming bigger now.”