It was not that long ago that I was living in a homeless shelter with my husband and children. When we found a place of our own, we needed help to pay our rent, so I went to the bishop. I had not been active in the Church and my husband and I had made far too many poor choices, but I was welcomed and accepted. My daughter and I began attending church, and the missionaries came to teach us the gospel. My husband and children were soon baptized. It was the gospel of Jesus Christ that has transformed my life and that of my family, but I will always be grateful for the part Deseret Industries played in providing me with hope for our future.

Through a referral from my bishop to DI, I was given the opportunity to become self-reliant. It wasn’t long before I was asked to participate in the potential lead program. I was offered the position as the team lead for books, shoes, domestics, and electronics. At first, I felt unsure about accepting this challenging position, but was assured that I would be someone who would be able to understand and advocate for the many different associates we have at DI. Being a lead was a turning point for me, because I felt I was being held to a higher standard. I tried to lead by example, be encouraging, and ensure that each voice was heard in a supportive way. I needed to exercise patience and understanding in dealing with the many people and situations I faced each day. I needed to lead by example by being on time and exercising absolute integrity. I needed to quit smoking. Through the help and encouragement of my job coach, I did quit smoking. I even encouraged my husband to quit smoking and, together, we have never returned.

Deseret Industries has provided me with the opportunity to take courses for Microsoft Office and Adobe. This is something I am very proud of and which required a great deal of commitment to achieve. We didn’t have a car, so I would have to get up early to be to the bus by 7:30. From there I would make a series of transfers to reach class by 9:00 each morning. I enjoyed learning the computer programs and have successfully completed my training. I now hope to continue to expand my career choices through participation in a second technical program at a local college.

I am committed to working hard because of my commitment to the Lord. I know that I can overcome any obstacle that may be thrown my way. From where I was to where I am now is a success story. My faith has enabled me to overcome my fears, and Deseret Industries has provided me an opportunity to exercise my faith.