(ALLENTOWN, PA) – The Clean Team Workforce congratulates its Employee of the Month for September, Kariem B.
Kariem faced a difficult childhood. He grew up with six siblings, from two different fathers, in a household that experienced daily domestic abuse. Kariem’s mother struggled to raise seven children, while his father battled alcoholism, leaving Kariem to navigate life on his own. Turning to the streets as a teenager, he found the attention and acceptance he was missing at home.
After years of living on the streets and hustling to survive, Kariem finally realized he needed to make a change. He believed he had “good inside of him” and wanted more out of his life. So, Kariem moved to Pennsylvania and found employment. Unfortunately, the online distribution company did not survive market competition, and he lost his job. For a few years, Kariem bounced around from job to job but couldn’t make ends meet. Determined to avoid a return to the streets, Kariem came to the Allentown Rescue Mission for help.
During his stay in the Emergency Shelter, Kariem discovered the Mission’s pathway to self-sufficiency. Seeking a lasting change, he entered the Transformation Program, where he developed life skills and was exposed to the Gospel message. Kariem credits the program for helping him “focus on being a responsible person.” After graduating from the program, he knew he would immediately qualify for a job with the Clean Team Workforce.
On Friday, July 10th, Kariem graduated and started working for the Clean Team Workforce the following Monday as a street cleaner. Instantly, he stood out as a reliable, hardworking person. A few weeks later, an opportunity arose to work at a local auto salvage yard through the Clean Team Workforce. He accepted the challenge without hesitation and continued to impress his employer.
Today, Kariem has been hired directly by the auto salvage company and is working on saving money to secure an apartment and complete the independence process. About his future, Kariem stated, “I love having a job where I feel appreciated and know that I’m somebody in this world.” He looks forward to his new life as “a soldier of God, following Him, and knowing that God will guide him.”
The Allentown Rescue Mission, a 501c3, 145 bed non-profit homeless shelter has been providing shelter to men in crisis since 1900. In addition to emergency shelter services (365 days a year), the Allentown Rescue Mission offers a faith-based residential life skills program, and transitional employment on the Clean Team Workforce that’s available for hire to the community. The Clean Team Workforce pays the men above PA state minimum wage– helping them save a nest egg to transition back into the community. In a typical year, the Allentown Rescue Mission provides shelter services for nearly 1,000 men and serves more than 60,000 meals to men in need.
To refer someone to the Allentown Rescue Mission for services or to learn ways you can help make a difference please visit www.allentownrescuemission.org
Information provided to TVL by:
Stefanie Appel
