KANSAS CITY, MO -
In the current economy, even those with the best resumes are having a tough time landing a job. So imagine how much tougher it is for those who just got done serving time.
Graduation Day at the Connections to Success program means a certificate and a new set of tools, but most important of all: the hope of a job.
Kim Carter has been in and out of prison on drug charges. These days, he can be found in the garage building on skills he learned in the seven week car repair program.
"I was determined to turn things around," Carter said. "Change what I was doing. Basically educate myself for things that I was interested in and automotive was one of them."
Work in the classroom and the garage came courtesy of Joe Sevart, owner of I-70 Auto Service.
"I've been blessed, and if I can give someone the opportunity that wants to change their life, I'm all about giving up time. I mean, that's all I got is time," Sevart said.
Sevart said the students didn't waste that time, showing up eager and prepared as they learned the basics of lifts, vehicle inspections, fluid inspections and oil changes.
And when they got under the hood, Sevart said the past wasn't a topic of discussion.
"I have no idea what any of them have been incarcerated for, I wanted to stay out of that," he said. "We talked positive about what we're doing today and what we're preparing for tomorrow."
A tomorrow that's now promising, even in the toughest economic times.
Sevart said this experience won't be a one time deal for him. He plans to have another group of Connections to Success students working in the garage starting in May.
Graduation Day at the Connections to Success program means a certificate and a new set of tools, but most important of all: the hope of a job.
Kim Carter has been in and out of prison on drug charges. These days, he can be found in the garage building on skills he learned in the seven week car repair program.
"I was determined to turn things around," Carter said. "Change what I was doing. Basically educate myself for things that I was interested in and automotive was one of them."
Work in the classroom and the garage came courtesy of Joe Sevart, owner of I-70 Auto Service.
"I've been blessed, and if I can give someone the opportunity that wants to change their life, I'm all about giving up time. I mean, that's all I got is time," Sevart said.
Sevart said the students didn't waste that time, showing up eager and prepared as they learned the basics of lifts, vehicle inspections, fluid inspections and oil changes.
And when they got under the hood, Sevart said the past wasn't a topic of discussion.
"I have no idea what any of them have been incarcerated for, I wanted to stay out of that," he said. "We talked positive about what we're doing today and what we're preparing for tomorrow."
A tomorrow that's now promising, even in the toughest economic times.
Sevart said this experience won't be a one time deal for him. He plans to have another group of Connections to Success students working in the garage starting in May.
