A Chance to Shine: Sara's Story

"Prison was a lonely place. No matter how many people are around you, it's lonely being away from your family. I missed my sons."

Sara is determined to make up for lost time. So now, she wakes up every morning at 5:00 a.m. and takes three buses to get to her new job at Unity House in North Minneapolis.

When Sara left prison, she applied for dozens of jobs and even got a few interviews, but no one called back. "I had the skills, but no one wanted to give me a chance."  She felt different when she came to the Northside Jobs Connection program, which helps difficult-to-employee people find work.  "No one judged me here.  I felt at home right away."  The staff saw potential in Sara, and when a clerical assistant and part-time receptionist position opened, they recommended that she apply.

After two months on the job, Sara is hopeful about her future. She plans to finish her college degree, and wants to work in human services. "I want to help other people find jobs like NJC helped me - I know how vulnerable they feel when they walk through that door with no resume, no connections, and a criminal record."

Next month Sara will move out of the halfway house and be reunited with her sons, 11 and 15.  "I had a hard dose of realty, but when I got out, I was motivated to make things better.  I know I can succeed in anything."  And she has.  All she needed was a chance to prove it.