Helping those who help themselves

Many people see Red Hook on the Road as an opportunity to enhance or improve their current living situaions; In addition, Red Hook on the Road serves as the conduit to change. CHANGE is a prevailing theme at Red Hook on the Road; Many come to us looking for a change in career, or a change in salary. Either way we are a viable resource to the public. We promote change by enhancement of skills and networking building. INITIATIVE comes first. You will get nowhere in life without taking a step. As we have said success stories are what makes Red Hook on the Road's mission so important, and or existence worthwile.

Meet Yvonna McAllister, a single mother of 2 small children ages 7 and 4. WHen Yvonna came to Red Hook on the Road she was looking for relief from the burden of trying to make ends meet on food stamps and $212 a week from unemployment ($190 a week after taxes).

In her intake she shared with us some of her work history and what made her want to join Red Hook on the Road and become a Commercial Driver. “I’ve worked since my kids were small. Mostly in clerical/data entry. My last job was with a temp agency but I need something more stable so that I can take care of my kids the way that I know that I can.. I always said that I would pursue my CDL if I ever became unemployed again, so here I am. I know that with a commercial driver’s license I an always find work.”

With the blessing of her mother agreeing to help with the kids Yvonna applied and was accepted to our program. Every morning she drove out to her mother’s house in Queens with the kids. Sometimes leaving them overnight with her.

Yvonna was determined and consistently remarked,

“I already know that I want to be a lady trucker. Female truck drivers are far and few in between but I know that it’s what I want to do.”

After completing the program and getting her class “BP” CDL RHOR’s job developer took Yvonna, along with several other graduates to Fresh Direct. After being interviewed Yvonna took a road test on one of their trucks. She handled the truck like a pro and was hired with a starting salary of $12 an hour.

While getting the experience that she needed at Fresh Direct, a good friend recommended Yvonna for a job with Iron Mountain, a world wide off site data protection and records storage corporation.

At Iron Mountain, Yvonna started with an entry level salary of $14.75 an hour with full medical benefits for her and her kids and a 401K after 45 days of employment .

“I am so happy with being a truck driver. My mom is also very happy with me being able to provide a good living for my kids. I am now working on improving my credit score so that I can purchase my first home hopefully next year. Thank you so much Red Hook on The Road.”

We are here to HELP; people like Yvonna McAllister and you. Dont hesitate to come in to Red Hook on the Road for more information, or visit our website:

http://www.bwiny.org/pages/rhotr.html