19-year-old Lorenzo says he has a blessing that many of his neighbors in the projects have not—a Christian upbringing. Lorenzo credits this foundation for helping him to stay out of trouble and find a job.

As a boy in the projects, Lorenzo grew up surrounded by violence, drugs and gang activity. On top of that, he had a sick mother at home, who could barely walk across the room, and a younger brother to take care of as well. Much of Lorenzo’s short life has been spent caring for his family. And he doesn’t regret it in the slightest.

Exhausted Energy

Needless to say, with wide-ranging familial responsibilities at such a young age, Lorenzo has not had an easy time. And finding a job was no less difficult. Having exhausted his options and himself in an unproductive job search, Lorenzo turned to Hope for the Inner City.

“I just walked in to use a computer,” he said, having never entered the building before. He saw a poster advertising Jobs for Life on the wall, and signed up.

New Opportunity

Throughout the class, Lorenzo was impressed with the amount of wisdom that was made available to him, both from people doing interviewing and hiring, and from those who held jobs currently. He especially enjoyed the encouraging atmosphere of the program, and the attitude of mutual respect.

While the practical teaching was certainly at the forefront of the class, Lorenzo found the biblical foundation to be even more helpful and integral.

“Jobs for Life was always about the Holy Spirit,” Lorenzo said. “Praise and worship made a good kickstart to the day each morning, and then we’d talk about God throughout the day.”

Building upon the foundation of Jobs for Life, Lorenzo now has full-time Job at a local restaurant.

“God sent me to the right place, at the right moment,” he said. Lorenzo is truly thankful for his employment.

A Better Tomorrow

As he looks to his own future, Lorenzo knows that he needs to finish the education he neglected while serving his mother. He plans to finish his GED and eventually enroll in college to pursue a degree in computer or automotive technology. Lorenzo would like to do big things with his life.

Lorenzo also has a true heart for the community where he grew up, and he worries for the children and young teens whom he sees growing up without role models to set them on the right path. He’s seen the long-term damage that comes from drugs and gang violence, and he would like to show those kids the love of Jesus Christ and the possibility of another way of life.

Lorenzo sees Hope for the Inner City as one such positive force in the inner-city community and encourages his Jobs for Life mentors to continue to minister, educate and empower the neighborhood around them.