Andrew Amador knows what it means to show up for his community.
Raised in the heart of Boyle Heights, he was shaped by the very people he now serves– through coaching, mentoring, tutoring, and simply being present.
“It’s my purpose,” he says, “to be an asset to my community.”
Still, the purpose doesn’t always pay the bills. And the desire to give back doesn’t negate the need for stability. That’s where JVS SoCal came in.
Andrew was online searching for programs for people with disabilities. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age five, he had faced his share of roadblocks, He needed some direction and structure.
“I saw ApartmentWorks, and it just stuck with me,” he recalls. “I applied … then I got a call from the program director.” The timing, he says, felt almost divine.
ApartmentWorks is a no-cost training program that equips participants with hands-on skills to become certified in apartment maintenance, along with employment assistance.
That part matters.
“When you’re trying to balance school and bills” says Andrew, “free training and guaranteed interviews …it’s what keeps you going.”
But what really set the program apart for Andrew wasn’t just the job prospects–it was the people.
“The whole system–the JVS staff, the employers, everyone–they care,” he emphasizes, “and that makes a difference!.”
Andrew has always been drawn to spaces where collaboration and trust hold everything together. “Teamwork is everything,” he says. “That’s what kept me grounded growing up, and that’s what I found here.”
ApartmentWorks gave Andrew more than technical skills–it shifted the way he saw his future. “It expanded my imagination,” he says. “I have knowledge I never thought I’d have. And I see new possibilities now.”
Andrew doesn’t hesitate to recommend JVS SoCal. “You don’t have to go to college. You can learn something hands-on, fast. Get hired. Start building a life,” he says. “It’s only two months. Just focus–and it’ll change everything.”
Today, with a new career ahead of him and the same commitment to his community behind him, Andrew continues to work on becoming a Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) and reinforcing his stability.
If you’re inspired by Andrew ‘s story and would like to help someone else achieve their dream, please donate today.