Veronica Camarillo has a very good reason for not returning my call—the Army Reservist was on a crucial mission, transporting military vehicles and equipment across four states. In the midst of her assignment, Veronica texted updates along the way, from the initial journey starting in Bakersfield to the unexpected truck issues in Las Vegas that caused a brief setback.
Now back in civilian life, Veronica has been diving headfirst into a demanding job at Greystar Real Estate Partners, a property management company where her versatility and can-do attitude are tested daily. She describes her role as a myriad of responsibilities, from preparing units when they become vacant to tending to residents’ maintenance requests. “Just today,” she shares, “I was busy working on a clothes washer and a fridge.”
Veronica shares how her training in our no-cost 8-week ApartmentWorks training program has played a pivotal role in her reservist career, providing her with the flexibility to divide her time between service and a stable job.
“Growing up, I was always fascinated with law enforcement, investigation and military life,” says Veronica. Born in Sylmar and raised predominantly in Palmdale, Veronica would see Camp Pendleton during family drives and was curious about what went on at the base. Three years ago, that curiosity led her to an Army recruitment office where she enrolled in the Reserve program.
While working on base one day, Veronica met JVS SoCal’s representatives who offered her a glimpse into a world of more possibilities beyond service. She applied for the Apartment Maintenance training and for three evenings a week, for eight weeks, immersed herself in learning valuable skills, including dry wall repair, plumbing and appliance assembly. “I’m really hands-on, detail-oriented and a fast learner,” Veronica says. The training landed her a job at Greystar, one of the largest apartment landlords in Southern California.
The program not only equipped Veronica with valuable technical skills, it also empowered her to dream bigger. “My husband works in construction, and I decided I want to get my contractor’s license. Once I do, we plan to start a business together.”
Veronica’s dedication to her 10-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son drives her to build a better life, free from the financial struggles she faced while growing up. “After we moved to Palmdale, my uncle passed away and no one had money for the expenses, so it came out of my dad’s pockets. We got super behind on payments,” she remembers. “As a young girl, I delivered newspapers every morning at 6 a.m. before school to help make ends meet. I don’t want my kids to go through that.”
The combination of her military service and the skills she gained from ApartmentWorks has given Veronica the tools to carve out a promising future. Balancing her current responsibilities as a reservist and her job at Greystar, she faces each day with determination and zest.
“I thrive on new experiences and like every day to be different,” she says about her bustling life. “That’s why I love what I do. Whether it’s fixing a fridge or going on a mission, every day presents a unique challenge. It keeps me on my toes.” Thanks to JVS SoCal’s industry partnerships, training programs like ApartmentWorks are aligned to business needs, and folks like Veronica are prepared for what’s next in their careers.
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals like Veronica, join us. Learn how here.