For more than 15 years, Jose Uribe built a career in property management. As a property management assistant, he coordinated maintenance teams, oversaw repairs, and ensured apartments were ready for residents. But over time, he realized he wanted something different.
“I’m more of a hands-on person,” shares Jose. While he understood the maintenance process inside and out, he wanted to be directly involved, solving problems, fixing issues, and taking on new challenges each day. Maintenance offered variety, movement, and the opportunity to showcase skills he hadn’t been able to fully use behind a desk.
While exploring job opportunities with the City of Santa Monica, Jose discovered JVS SoCal’s ApartmentWorks program. The no cost eight-week training program immediately caught his attention. At first, he was skeptical. “There has to be a catch,” he thought. But after researching further, he realized it was a genuine opportunity to gain hands-on skills and transition into a new career path.
Committing to the program wasn’t easy. At the time, Jose was still working, and classes required him to travel from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles during peak traffic hours. Nearly every day, the commute took close to two hours each way. It meant leaving work early, navigating heavy traffic, and long days that tested his endurance.
But Jose refused to let the commute stop him.
“That wasn’t going to stop me from continuing with the program and getting the best out of it,” he says.
Inside the classroom and workshop, Jose gained the direct, hands-on training he had been seeking. The program helped him build confidence in plumbing, electrical, and general maintenance skills, preparing him to step fully into a maintenance technician role.
One of the most valuable perks of ApartmentWorks was the direct connection to employers. At graduation, participants interview with hiring partners who recognize the quality of the training. For Jose, that access created a powerful advantage and a smoother path into the field.
Today, Jose sees ApartmentWorks as more than training; it was a turning point. His persistence, long commutes, and willingness to step outside his comfort zone paid off. And now, he encourages friends and family to consider the program.
For Jose, the drive wasn’t just two hours in traffic; it was a drive toward purpose, growth, and a career that truly fits.
If you’re inspired by Jose’s story and would like to help someone else achieve their dream, please donate today.