From Setbacks to Success

How One Father Kept His Promise

When life hurled one obstacle after another in his path, he didn't falter. He kept forging ahead, his resilience shining through.

After losing his job and car, Marcus found himself at a crossroads. As a recent HVAC graduate, he was eager to start a career, but his background made finding work difficult. With two broken-down cars and doors closing around him, Marcus knew he needed a new path. That's when a friend connected him with CityLink, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), and ChangingGears—then everything started to change.

Marcus’ driving force wasn't just finding a job; it was a promise he made to his daughter.

When he was incarcerated for four years, his daughter was just 11 months old. When Marcus returned, she made him promise he would never leave her again. Marcus is determined to keep that promise.

She looks up to him at almost seven years old like he is Superman. He refuses to let her down.

When both of his cars broke down last December, Marcus was humbled. No transportation meant fewer job opportunities and fewer ways to provide for his daughter. But instead of losing hope, he turned to ChangingGears for help with affordable and reliable transportation. Then came the day he got his car.

"I cried on the way home. I thanked God." - Marcus

With reliable transportation, his life turned a corner. He secured a job as a Site Supervisor at CEO, which allows him to help others facing challenges like he once did. More than that, he's finding ways to stay connected with his daughter. He coaches her basketball team, shares time in the kitchen learning to cook together, and supports her love of ballet and cheerleading.

Looking ahead, his goals are more significant than ever—maintaining his job for a year, saving for a house, and paying off student loans. But no matter what, Marcus’ top priority remains the same: being there for his daughter.

His advice for others considering ChangingGears?

"Be honest. No one can help you if they don't know what you need. Be a person of your word, work with trustworthy people, and make the most of every opportunity."

Today, Marcus can take his daughter to school, practice, and even special outings—like their upcoming trip to see The Wizard of Oz ballet performance.

A car may seem like just a vehicle to some, but for Marcus, it's a symbol of something greater: a promise kept and a future filled with possibility.