Neil

It took Neil a couple of years between the time he heard about The Challenge Program (CP) through West End Neighborhood House and when he finally was able to enroll, due to life circumstances.

He was working various jobs, including Acme and T-Mobile, but knew construction was the type of career he wanted to get into.  

Before starting his new job at a home remodeling company in December 2025, Neil took a few minutes to talk to us about his experience at The Challenge Program.

“I’m not even going to lie to you…there was nothing that I didn’t like. He (his Instructor LaMar) wanted me to have this knowledge so that I can do better…that made me want to be there even more.” 

At CP, he worked with his crew on an affordable home rehab. “I loved every part of it. I was in love with the demolition though!” In addition to demolition work, they fixed the floor and stairs, replaced doors, and did drywall, mudding, trimming, and painting. 

After completing his time at CP, Neil was accepted into our CP Furniture (CPF) Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship program, which he recently graduated from.

At CPF, “It was a lot different – they give you individual projects and I also worked with the other shop folks.” His Instructor CJ and his teammates John and Justino motivated him every day to come to CPF. “We were the best teammates. When somebody was down, we’d pick each other up.” Mr. CJ was like a father figure he never had. Neil reflected, “He was there for me even in ways I wasn’t there for myself. I was able to be vulnerable. As a black man in Wilmington, Delaware, that’s not easy at all.” 

At both CP and CPF, Neil gained valuable skills that helped him land his new job, including interviewing. His interview went so well that they skipped the second interview and hired him on the spot! 

When asked what his future will look like, Neil thought for a while and said he wants to be financially stable, able to support not just himself but his family, and happy.