Devonte, 23, Pathways
Devonte went from couch-surfing to a union card
A paid electrical apprenticeship turned into a career, an apartment, and a truck with his name on the registration.
First time somebody paid me to learn something. First time I thought about where I'd be in five years.
Devonte aged out at 18 and spent the next two years sleeping on friends' couches and working short shifts at a warehouse. He came to Life Lab for the free dinner.
A Life Lab instructor, a Lanternhouse alumnus and licensed electrician, told him about the Paid Apprenticeship track. Devonte applied that week.
He trained with one of our employer partners at $18 an hour, passed his first certification on the first try, and was hired full-time eleven months later.
He saved $1,200 in Lantern Match, which became $3,600 toward a used pickup. He now teaches the Road Ready workshop on Saturdays.
Shared with Devonte's permission. Some details have been changed to protect privacy.