Jamir

Jamir enrolled in The Challenge Program in 2024. During the program, he learned quickly while on crew and proved to be dependable and capable in the shop. He was able to put his new skills to use on unique projects, such as building a timber frame shed with a deck and creating ottomans out of Princeton University squash court floorboards. He also earned his Flagger and Forklift certifications and attended financial literacy sessions while in the program.

When asked where he would be now if he didn’t have the Challenge Program, he said, “I’d probably still be working retail…at the Dollar Tree. It’s helped me a lot. It helped me get my license, helped me work in an actual job setting, and…get things done. (It was) the most fun in my life.”

Jamir applied for and was accepted into the third CP Furniture Carpentry Pre-Apprentice cohort, where he gained additional carpentry and woodworking skills. He and his colleagues recently graduated from their Pre-Apprenticeship and are actively interviewing for the next step in their careers, prepared for a bright future.