A lifeline through work: Ready, Willing, and Able graduation
Can a job save a life?
For nearly 100 men graduating from the Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) program this year, the answer is a resounding yes.
“I’ll be two and a half years sober in a couple of weeks. RWA was a huge help for me,” said graduate Chrisopher Lopez.
A one-year residential program that provides men who are unhoused or incarcerated with housing and a range of other services, RWA offers career development, educational classes, and sobriety support. The program stresses the importance and potential of work to break harmful cycles, offering participants the chance to gain new skills and certifications.
Lopez said he obtained his welding license through RWA.
“They put me through a whole program where we took a test, got certified. This has now become my career path,” he said.
To graduate from the program, participants must secure permanent housing and full-time employment. At the 2024 graduation ceremony, the atmosphere was filled with smiles and cheers as the graduates celebrated their communal triumph.
Known as the “men in blue” because of their uniforms, the graduates were visibly excited and proud of their accomplishments.
The ceremony featured encouraging words from several speakers, including NYC Council Member and Central Park Five exoneree, Dr. Yusef Salaam.
“What’s beautiful about this program is that we’re talking about people taking control over their lives, giving themselves a second chance, knowing that they are not counted out, and that’s the best part about it,” Salaam said. “Being able to rise from the ashes like a phoenix.”
Alex Albury, another graduate, echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the RWA staff while emphasizing the personal resolve needed to succeed.
“I feel great, especially when people recognize the hard work a person put in to change his life. It’s a great place,” he said. “But you got to make your mind up—it all depends on you.”
The RWA program has a proven track record of helping men rebuild their lives, heal families, and strengthen communities. It stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with a second chance, these men are indeed ready, willing, and able.
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