Frankie, production Supervisor

I’m a perfect example of a changed life. People make mistakes, people make bad choices, but at the end of the day people can change. If I could, anyone can. Where I work, the culture is inclusive. We try hard to make sure anybody coming in the door knows that they have the same opportunity to succeed. It’s awesome to put bread on people’s table. And that’s how I put bread on my table.

Before I got the job here, I applied everywhere determined to get a job. Fast food, car wash places, everywhere. I thought they wouldn’t care about my criminal background as much. But not one place hired me. And you know if one of those places would have given me a chance there would be a ton of shiny cars out there. They would have gotten a worker that was determined to do good. And I’m not the only one. There are a lot of people out there, that if given an opportunity they will be loyal and dedicated workers. Employers looking for hard working individuals should not shut the door on people with felonies. Giving one of us a shot is, it’s like winning the lottery. You may get everything you need in a worker.

I grew up in a rough area, in low-income family homes. I was raised partly by my single mom and partly by my grandparents. Growing up in those projects was difficult because you just grew up into the gang. I was in and out of jail. Even when I was staying out of trouble my mentality was back in the streets. It always felt easier. That was the lifestyle, that was the mentality. In 1999 I got shot in front of my mom’s home. Even sol, my mentality was the same. Eventually, I got in trouble for sales and trafficking of drugs and was sentenced to eight years in state prison.

I lost my freedom. I lost my family. You lose everything you thought you were trying to hold on to. One day I was in a cell by myself. I felt entombed. I thought, look where you’re at. I thought that if I keep going the way that I’m going my next step could get me under the ground. Something changed that day. There was something different about my mentality. I was really determined to get focused and stay right. I started thinking positive in a dark place.

Then I started going to church. And then I started running a bible study. The study started with me and a couple of guys, then it grew to about 30 men. That really changed my life – seeing grown men break down, open up and cry wanting a changed life. This helped guide me to a more positive way of living.

In prison, you learn how to read people and tell if they are being sincere. Some people, when they hear that you have a criminal background or see that you have tattoos, they can’t hide it – they have judgment written all over their face. I feel comfortable at Dave’s Killer Bread because I don’t feel any of that judgement. I don’t have to look for that phony smile or fake handshake. It feels great to be able to put my guard down because they just care about what I’m doing and where I’m going. That’s huge.

I started as a helper and now I’m a Production Supervisor. I used to be really quiet but little by little, as I moved up, I learned how to communicate and interact with people. I never said no when asked if I wanted to learn something new on the production floor. If you’re a committed individual and dedicated, you’ve just got to steer that in a positive direction. If you come in and do that, the sky is the limit for anyone. There is more to work than getting paid and going home when you care about what you’re doing. We have pre-shift meetings and I try to make it to every one of those to see how the team is doing, and to let them know that we are in this together for the day and for what it brings.

It took a lot of long nights, and a lot of long days, and a lot of sweat. But I did it, I’m doing it. When I first started I had to ride the city bus. Now I have a truck and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. I just purchased my first house. These are all material, but evidence of stability to someone that didn’t really have that growing up.

And my kids. I’m so grateful for them. No matter what, they have me to lean on if needed. They are all independent, they are doing well. I’m grateful to their mother for that. For really taking care of them and guiding them when I wasn’t there. I know that it was tough for her and I know it was tough for the kids. Now we’re good. We have a good relationship now.

I’m thankful for my employer. I’m thankful to my family that supported me. Thankful for my faith in Christ.