Fred grew up in North Vallejo in a close-knit church family. His mother was strict and worked hard to shelter him and his brothers from the dangers around them. But like many middle children, Fred leaned into rebellion. He describes himself as the cliché who pushed back, made noise, and tested limits.
At 18, he received his first charge. He didn’t fully understand how deeply that moment would follow him into adulthood. As he tried to move forward in life, one obstacle kept coming back: background checks.
Fred worked hard to rebuild after his incarceration. He held down a good job for over a year, but the job market wasn’t fair. When he tried working with a temp agency, they turned him away after reviewing his background. Without a car or a driver’s license, transportation became a barrier. And without enough income, rent was out of reach. The lack of basic resources: money, transportation, and housing, put him in a cycle that led to further trouble.
Eventually, Fred took whatever jobs he could find, including one in a slaughterhouse. The work was brutal and numbing. It was the kind of place that didn’t care about a person’s history but didn’t offer much of a future.
Despite the setbacks, Fred kept showing up. He had experience in better jobs and knew how to succeed in the workplace. But time and again, his record would resurface. One employer hired him for logistics work, only to let him go two months later, right after the background check was completed.
Fred once marked “No” on a job application when asked if he had a felony. At the time, he didn’t fully understand the consequences. But that decision returned to haunt him; he was hired, worked hard, and then let go.
Now, Fred is upfront about his record. But that, too, comes with its own cost. For many people with a record, that one question can close doors before they even get a chance to show who they are. Despite the frustration, Fred chooses to keep pushing forward. He’s not hiding from his past but refuses to be defined by it. He wants to be seen for the man he is today, a reliable worker, a dedicated father, and someone ready to contribute.
He began transitional work at the Center for Employment Opportunities in Solano and approached it with commitment. He arrived early, did what the job required, and started to rebuild his confidence. His focus remains clear, providing for his 13-year-old daughter and building a stable, self-sufficient life.
With a background in logistics, forklift operation, and warehouse work, Fred is now aiming for a career in transportation, like operating 18-wheelers or doing local deliveries. He’s also open to union work or construction jobs, where he can use his hands and take pride in what he builds.
The road has been long and, at times, unfair, but Fred is still walking it with purpose, resilience, and the hope that others will see him for the man he’s become.
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