Ali (full name withheld for privacy) came to us from St. Christopher’s House beginning in a role as a mover’s helper. Having experienced some trouble with the law, his life was spiraling in the wrong direction and the Toronto Youth Corp was a program that could help
They referred Ali to Furniture Bank in a logical sequence of achieving the steps in the structure of their program. Ali came to us enthusiastically wanting to give back. He considers this a second chance. Previously, he faced the obstacle of harsh judgment against his prior criminal record. Ali’s experience with Furniture Bank has changed the way he looks at the world and he discovered he really likes helping people.He sees and engages the people that come through the charity and he has developed an ability to foster improved communication skills with clients as well as colleagues and supervisors.
Ali lists his newly acquired skills as furniture assembly, enhance organizational skills in managing warehouse storage, the ability to identify potential warehouse hazards and create solutions, the loading and unloading of trucks and greater patience and cooperation.
When Ali completes the program he wants to return to school to acquire a trade or earn certification to work with children. He shared that this experience taught him that money is not everything and if he had a choice to work for a roofing company at 15$ hour or work for an organization where he can give back and be part of the community at a lesser wage, he would choose the latter, because it feels more positive and satisfying.
