Young Father of Two Back to Work Thanks to ARRA-Funded Job

Unemployed for six months, with two children and another one on the way, Adam, 29, had to find a way to support his family. He landed a job working in the Heart's Food Pantry through the Santa Clara County Cal Works program.

SCC Works is an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded program helping hundreds of local, unemployed individuals get back to work in the valley.

Adam performs a number of different tasks, like unloading food donations, working the forklift, and distributing food to our customers.

Every day, Adam takes the bus all the way from Gilroy to work at Sacred Heart. Adam is now the sole provider for his family because his wife left her retail job after becoming pregnant with their third child. He is proud to say that his family not longer needs food or other assistance since he's back at work and earning a paycheck.

"I do what I got to do," said Adam of the long commute to the Heart, "and to the best of my ability."

Adam's co-workers say he is very personable and an asset in the pantry. Although his work can be strenuous he is not afraid to take on difficult tasks that others might complain about, according to a co-worker.

Before he was laid off, Adam worked in a grocery store doing a lot of the same work that he does in the pantry. Although Adam's position at Sacred Heart ends on September 30, he has discovered that he enjoys working for a non-profit so much that he plans to look for another non-profit job.

"I chose Sacred Heart because I liked that I would be working directly with the people that need help," said Adam. "It's cool because most of the people are really grateful for what they receive here."

Although Adam only has a few college credits right now, his dream is to go back to school and enter the field of law where he can use his compassion to reach out to help the disenfranchised.

"My calling will [be achieved] when I get to that point," said Adam.

Adam keeps his head high and his spirits higher, as he works to further his life goals through the help of Sacred Heart and ARRA funding.