As Jamario walked along Fowler Avenue in Tampa, wind blew through holes in his clothes and shoes, and thoughts of “I’m not dressed well enough” hung heavily in his mind.
Yet, Jamario, a father-to-be who got out of county jail in January, kept nervously stepping toward the Better Together job fair at Crossover Church. When he reached the church’s open doors, Jamario’s doubts and fears had wrestled away almost all his faith.
But Jamario went in anyway.
Seven days later, Jamario woke up before dawn and put on new cargo pants and slip-resistant boots. He then caught a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus to St. Petersburg. Jamario got off the bus at Roosevelt Boulevard and walked toward a work site under a nearby overpass.
Jamario walked confidently, as though he knew without a doubt that there were people who believed in him, loved him, and would be there for him.
While waiting for his coworkers to arrive, Jamario got an encouraging text from one of those people, Kydia Washington.
Jamario met Kydia at the Better Together job fair. Kydia was a volunteer and connected Jamario to Love Our City, who got him work clothes and supplies. Kydia and her husband also invited Jamario to go to church with them at Crossover. Jamario went.
“I love them both,” said Jamario as he re-read the text.
Tiffany Johnson, of Forged Paths, also met Jamario at the job fair. When interviewing him, Tiffany looked beyond Jamario’s tattered clothing. She sensed accountability in Jamario and a hunger to provide for his family. She offered him a job on the spot.
“She believes in me. I’m grateful for this chance,” added Jamario.
One of the first people Jamario met when he walked into the job fair that day was Joel Harper. Joel, who was a volunteer job coach, could tell that Jamario was nervous and unsure if anyone would do more than give him a flyer. Joel listened to Jamario’s story and told him that “our mistakes don’t have to prevent us from moving forward.” Joel also promised to be by Jamario’s side as he filled out applications and met employers.
“He didn’t have to be with me, but he chose to stay by my side,” said a grateful Jamario.
When his coworkers arrived, Jamario put on his safety hat and got on a riding mower.
“See you. I’m off to work.”
Moments and story Kinfay / Better Together
