Humans of GLISS Blog

Today we bring you the story of Jeremy

Like a handful of employees here at GLISS, Jeremy has worked for us a few times in the past. There was a time when Jeremy wasn’t employed through us and was struggling. 

Jeremy was relying on others more than leaning into his own understanding and motivation to get through life. He was doing everything that his friends were doing, and this caught him up in a slippery slope of addiction eventually. One thing led to another, and he ended up incarcerated. 

Being away from the familiarity of life outside of prison opened Jeremy’s eyes. If he didn’t become proactive, and take steps to drastically change his life, he was going to be stuck in a perpetual cycle. Once released Jeremy immediately began to look for work. 

With a new criminal history, he found it difficult to find steady employment. He knew he could always come back to GLISS, but that also meant being vulnerable and transparent about why he left. Jeremy realized he had no choice but to come in and ask for a second chance. 

A second chance he got! He was able to obtain a job that worked around his meetings/classes and still fulfilled his financial needs. Jeremy was developing a routine, keeping himself out of trouble and making a new name for himself. Day by day his life changed for the better. 

Jeremy regained his independence and felt like a contributing member of society again. Grateful for his dedication to better himself, while giving himself the same amount of grace for his past - he made it! 

He left us with this piece of positivity: “Be open minded to everything. Try something new, and while you’re at it, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”