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Arron, had been unemployed for eight months before joining “Project Prepare.” Arron recalls, “It was very frustrating. I was basically struggling. I had to have a lot of help from friends and family.” Now that he’s working again Arron feels much better. He knows his job as an electrical pre-apprentice is a great opportunity. But even after Arron was accepted into the pre-apprentice program he ran into problems. All electricians and apprentice electricians at Mark One Electric have to pass an eye exam, and Arron failed his. While Arron knew he needed glasses, he didn’t realize his vision was that bad. His supervisor at Mark One felt Arron had a lot of potential and he didn’t want to see him back in the unemployment line, so they gave Arron a second chance to get glasses and take the eye exam again. There was just one problem. Arron didn’t have enough money to buy the glasses he needed to keep his job. “I needed a new prescription, lenses and frames. It was going to cost around $250 and I just didn’t have the money to get it done.”
Arron is thrilled with his new glasses and thrilled to still have his job. Arron says, “It’s a new world. The glasses are helping me to do things more quickly and be more productive. Instead of squinting and trying to focus my eyes, I can just concentrate on the task at hand and doing a good job.” Arron is extremely grateful for the patience of his supervisors at Mark One Electric and for the help he received. Arron says, “Now I can actually do for myself, save some money and reach for some financial goals. I’m really happy to be working again and I’m excited about my future. I want to thank the people who give to charity for their thoughtfulness and generosity, in helping someone they don’t even know. It means a lot to me and from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank them all.” |
Twenty-nine
year-old Arron Hudson loves his job, working as a pre-apprentice
electrician for Mark One Electric in Kansas City. Arron landed
his job through “Project Prepare,” a minority recruitment
program of the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Full Employment
Council. The program’s goal is to increase the number of
minorities working in the Building Trades. 
Arron
explained the situation to his foreman who contacted IBEW Local
124’s Union Hall. They turned to United Way 2-1-1 for help.
United Way 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember central phone number
connecting people with available community resources and volunteer
opportunities. The 2-1-1 Call Specialist was aware of a
program at Working Families’ Friend, whose mission is helping
working men and women maintain their self-sufficiency. Once
informed of Arron’s dilemma, Working Family Friends quickly agreed
to pay for his eye exam and glasses.