Career success story: Hard work of participant in JFCS’ Dislocated Worker program pays off

Bruno worked as a leasing consultant, making $13/hour, when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in his layoff. At the time, Bruno was considering a career in food systems management, but the pandemic affected that industry as well. Bruno contacted JFCS and was enrolled in the Dislocated Worker program. His counselor, Anna Ferdelman, helped him identify his interests and transferrable skills, and encouraged him to explore other avenues to success.

Bruno always had an interest in computer applications. He researched various training opportunities and selected a software engineering program at Prime Digital Academy. This program is a coding boot camp, with eight hours of instruction and four more hours of homework every day, six days a week, for six months. Bruno was undaunted by the intensity of the program and enrolled in this training.

Even though he was receiving unemployment benefits, Bruno found it difficult to pay some of his bills. The training was too intense to allow him time for a part-time job and it was difficult for him to cover both his rent and groceries each month. Anna used the Dislocated Worker support funds to cover Bruno’s rent and also accessed one of JFCS’ endowment funds that provides Cub gift cards for people who are affected by the pandemic.

With Anna’s encouragement and support, Bruno graduated from Prime Digital Academy in November 2020. He immediately started job searching, and last month he started a new position as a Front End Web Developer at a local financial management firm, making $67,000 per year ($32/hr.), with full benefits. JFCS couldn’t be prouder for Bruno that his hard work paid off!