Changing Lives One Trucking Job at a Time
By: Mycah Glover
Updated: December 20, 2012
Midland -- This year, Chevron was the largest contributor to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program, but that's far from the only program they've assisted. They've also teamed up with Casa de Amigos for the Take 2 Job Skills Training Program, which is helping change lives one job at a time.
"Take 2 is one of the best social investments in all of our portfolio that we have, and it's one of those that impacts the whole community," said Dolores Vick, Chevron community affairs coordinator.
To date, Chevron has given $415,000 to Take 2. It's money that's used to help struggling individuals go to school to get what they need to better themselves.
Josie Samaguey, who heads up the Take 2 program at Casa de Amigos, says it's "to help them explore or define skills that are needed to fill positions that are highly in demand in the Permian Basin."
So far, the program has helped 30 people graduate and get jobs, many of which are in the trucking industry.
Dolores Baeza, a single mother of four, is a great example of how the program can help turn someone's life around.
"I was staying at a homeless shelter," said Baeza. "I was working weekends at a fast food place because I had to leave my job to be able to go to school full-time Monday through Friday."
But in the end, she says it was all worth it. In fact, she says her life turned around as soon as she graduated and landed a job driving trucks for Texas Energy.
"I'm living a comfortable life. Something I wouldn't...I can't explain it," she said. "There's not enough words for me to explain how this big turnaround makes me feel."
Carolyn Martinez is another success story, which also began with heartache.
"I was married for 32 years. My husband passed away. It was hard to make ends meet on minimum wage," said Martinez.
That's when she decided to go through the program, but she says there was a bit of hesitation.
"At first, I was kind of hesitant because, you know, that's a big truck," said Martinez. "But anybody can do it. It's not just a man's job."
Thanks to the Take 2 program, both women are now able to make ends meet and take care of their families. It's something they thank Chevron and Casa de Amigos for everyday.
"I really appreciate them...that there's people out there willing to help you pull yourself out of a hole," added Martinez.
Casa de Amigos tells Big 2 that most people that go through the program end up making an average of $5,000 a month.
Click here to learn more about the program. You can also contact Josie Samaguey at Casa de Amigos at 432-682-3817 to get more information or to make a donation.
For more energy news, follow Mycah Glover on Facebook & Twitter.
"Take 2 is one of the best social investments in all of our portfolio that we have, and it's one of those that impacts the whole community," said Dolores Vick, Chevron community affairs coordinator.
To date, Chevron has given $415,000 to Take 2. It's money that's used to help struggling individuals go to school to get what they need to better themselves.
Josie Samaguey, who heads up the Take 2 program at Casa de Amigos, says it's "to help them explore or define skills that are needed to fill positions that are highly in demand in the Permian Basin."
So far, the program has helped 30 people graduate and get jobs, many of which are in the trucking industry.
Dolores Baeza, a single mother of four, is a great example of how the program can help turn someone's life around.
"I was staying at a homeless shelter," said Baeza. "I was working weekends at a fast food place because I had to leave my job to be able to go to school full-time Monday through Friday."
But in the end, she says it was all worth it. In fact, she says her life turned around as soon as she graduated and landed a job driving trucks for Texas Energy.
"I'm living a comfortable life. Something I wouldn't...I can't explain it," she said. "There's not enough words for me to explain how this big turnaround makes me feel."
Carolyn Martinez is another success story, which also began with heartache.
"I was married for 32 years. My husband passed away. It was hard to make ends meet on minimum wage," said Martinez.
That's when she decided to go through the program, but she says there was a bit of hesitation.
"At first, I was kind of hesitant because, you know, that's a big truck," said Martinez. "But anybody can do it. It's not just a man's job."
Thanks to the Take 2 program, both women are now able to make ends meet and take care of their families. It's something they thank Chevron and Casa de Amigos for everyday.
"I really appreciate them...that there's people out there willing to help you pull yourself out of a hole," added Martinez.
Casa de Amigos tells Big 2 that most people that go through the program end up making an average of $5,000 a month.
Click here to learn more about the program. You can also contact Josie Samaguey at Casa de Amigos at 432-682-3817 to get more information or to make a donation.
For more energy news, follow Mycah Glover on Facebook & Twitter.
