.png)
Micah was born in California and raised on a ten‑acre ranch in Fresno. He grew up surrounded by cattle, wooden fences, and the open sky. During his childhood, his family instilled in him values and proper work ethics. Nevertheless, he found himself aimless, having dropped out of high school. As a result, he bounced between fast‑food and gas station jobs without purpose or motivation.
After what Micah said was “a bad decision made by a young kid,” he was sentenced to state prison for nine years. After having been released and coming back home, he stayed with his sister. The transition wasn’t easy. Despite the struggles, after six months he found steady work.
“No one would give me a chance,” says Micah. “When my parole officer referred me to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Fresno, I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t hopeful at all.”
In no time, CEO became Micah’s biggest hope. They provided a stepping stone for the 48-year-old to get his life back. `
Micah joined a transitional work crew, beautifying the streets of Fresno during the week and meeting with his job coach every Friday. Micah credits the coaching at CEO as the “turning point” while job hunting. They did mock interviews and searched on Indeed for long-term positions. Because of that, Micah learned about hard and soft skills for the first time.
“CEO helped me tremendously,” Micah says. “They made reentry a lot easier because I had money in my pocket and I was learning new skills. My job coach was phenomenal, and the staff was all caring.”
After four months with CEO, Micah attended a job fair and landed a position at a city rescue mission. The interview was intense, but his preparation paid off – especially the mock interviews and coaching sessions CEO provided.
“If someone wanted to go to CEO, I’d tell them to take advantage of everything they offer,” Micah explained. “It’s all there, but nothing is free in life. You have to go get it.”
While working at the mission, Micah has spent the past year sorting donations and delivering furniture. He’s proud of his progress and grateful for the continued support. He even receives a retention check from CEO for staying employed. Now, he’s setting his sights higher. Encouraged by a family member, Micah enrolled at Fresno City College to earn his welding certification. His weekly classes cover precision measurements, occupational safety, and welding fundamentals.
According to the Prison Policy Initiative, roughly one-in-three formerly incarcerated people pursue vocational training or trade certification after release. This is clearly a testament on how justice-impacted individuals seeking for jobs benefit from learning a new trade.
In California, a Bureau of Labor statistic shows certified welders earn an average of $58,060 per year. This figure represents a clear pathway to independence and not just merely a paycheck. Micah says that the course work is the hardest thing he’s done yet, but he believes it will also be the most valuable.
“I’m working while in school, which is hard. But I wouldn’t even be standing here if it wasn’t for CEO getting me started,” Micah says. “They picked me up, and I ran with it.”
