Turning Passion into a Career

His Doubts Faded

Owen, from Cincinnati, always loved cars. He wasn’t just interested in how they looked—he wanted to know how they worked, every nut and bolt. But figuring out how to turn that passion into a career wasn’t so simple.

For a while, he worked as the Assistant Director at Pastor Strayhorn’s Bright Star Summer Camp. It was good work, but it wasn’t what he wanted to do long-term. When he shared his dream of working on cars with his mentor, she suggested he talk to Pastor Strayhorn—who Owen calls "Pops"—about CityLink. “Do they really have a free car program?” Owen asked. He wasn’t sure it could be worth his time.

But after taking a tour of CityLink, his doubts faded. The program was legit, and better yet, it offered the kind of hands-on learning he’d been craving. He was accepted into the September class and couldn’t wait to start. The wait felt like forever, but once he began, everything clicked.

Owen admits he struggled in traditional classroom settings in the past, so he appreciated how much of the training took place in the shop. Eric, one of the program leaders, created a safe and supportive space where Owen could grow his skills. By the second week, Owen was feeling confident working on cars and knew he’d made the right decision.

In October 2024, just one day after graduating, Owen started working at Jeff Wyler Honda. It didn’t take long for his hard work to pay off—within six weeks, he earned his own bay. Now, he gets to work independently while learning from the master techs in his shop, soaking up their knowledge and perfecting his craft.

This job isn’t just a paycheck for Owen—it’s his first stable, year-round position, and it’s opened the door to a future he’s been dreaming of. His advice for others? “Trust in God, be patient, and don’t be afraid to take that first step.”

Owen’s journey is proof that when passion meets opportunity, great things can happen.