When I was 18, I made some poor decisions that I didn’t want to continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. My life is very different now—I have a wife and goals for a future in the medical field.  I needed time to complete the training I wanted and time to overcome the problems with my background check. I needed help. My bishop suggested Deseret Industries.

Part of the DI program includes having a job coach and a mentor to guide and support us through our training. They met with me regularly to help me chart out what I should work on each week. My first goal was to obtain a driver’s license. This would provide me with additional options for employment. Next, I wanted to complete technical training as a certified nursing assistant. Then, immediately, I wanted to be enrolled in phlebotomy training to increase my skills.

The technical training was the easy part; far more challenging was clearing my record for a background check. A negative report could very well have prevented me from ever using my new found skills. I spoke with my parents at length about my worries. We decided to join our faith together in a family fast. I had been participating in the Associate Placement Program (APP) for only two weeks, when I was offered two jobs.  Both employers were willing to hire me despite the problems with the report from those early years.

What has happened since I came to work at Desert Industries? I can now drive legally. I have two technical certificates. I have new friends who care about me and my future. And, perhaps most important of all, I have a strengthened testimony of prayer and the principle of fasting with a purpose.

Would I encourage anyone else to join the training program at DI? Yep! My younger sister is there now, having just as positive of an experience. Thank you Deseret Industries.