At 56 years old, Daniel isn’t just driving a semi-truck for a living – he’s steering his life in a whole new direction. A full-time truck driver, a father of two, and a man who has rediscovered purpose and peace in his heart, Daniel can finally say that he’s happier than he’s ever been.
But the road to get here wasn’t easy.
Raised by a single mom after his dad died when he was three, Daniel had never been in trouble growing up. After high school, he married his girlfriend, and they made plans for the future, but things didn’t work out in the end. Daniel worked and rode motorcycles, choosing to take one day at a time until he was forced to face a major legal challenge in his fifties.
“After my arrest, I fell into a depression and just did what I was told to do. I’d lost hope a little bit and was just trying to get by and follow my probation requirements,” says Daniel.
Daniel’s turning point came when he walked into the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Cleveland. His probation officer had referred him to the CEO because he was required to stay employed while on probation.
“I walked into CEO not knowing what to expect. What I found was people who didn’t judge me, who smiled every time I walked through the door,” Daniel says. “The positivity at CEO is unmatched.”
CEO placed him on a transitional work crew beautifying local highways. They provided everything he needed to get back on his feet – from work boots and bus passes to housing assistance. Daniel was paired with a job coach who saw beyond his record and recognized his potential. An assessment showed Daniel was well-suited for a career in commercial driving, so CEO paid for him to begin online CDL training.
“I passed the CDL permit test on my first try,” says Daniel. “Then CEO paid for me to enroll in a three-week-long trucking school.”
Daniel completed 120 hours of classroom and road-course training before taking his Class A Commercial Driving Test and passing on the first try – again.
With his CDL in hand, Daniel applied to over 100 companies, only to be repeatedly rejected due to his background. Still, he refused to quit. With support from his job coach, he was eventually connected with fair-chance employers – one of them finally said yes and hired the entry-level truck driver.
“The staff at CEO truly care about your progress. No other program made me feel supported the way they did,” Daniel says. “I wouldn’t be here today without their guidance and financial commitment.”
Now, with his past behind him and the open road ahead, Daniel is living proof of what’s possible when people are given real opportunities to start over. His story is a powerful reminder: the road to redemption can be long, but with the right support, every mile is worth it.
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