Eric describes his first meeting with Sound Outreach as intimidating for him. Even though he was ready to focus on being a role model for his three children and embrace his goals to “be successful in life,” he wasn’t convinced that strangers would invest in him and help him find his way.  That fear soon changed when he met with a counselor and learned about the services available through Sound Outreach, particularly the Tool Center (Trade Occupations Opportunity Learning Center). Operated by Bates Technical College and partially funded by the City of Tacoma, the Tool Center is a 13-week Pre-Apprenticeship program that prepares individuals for employment in the trades. Eric was quick to pass the entrance requirements and enrolled in the Tool Center. As part of his participation in the program, Eric was connected to a Sound Outreach financial counselor and soon realized he had found the qualified help he needed to guide his way to financial empowerment.

Eric came to Sound Outreach after a series of bad decisions landed him in jail.  Facing the possibility of losing his children, he made the decision while still behind bars to do whatever necessary to become a better father and a better man.

Upon his release from prison and after years of battling addiction, Eric enrolled in a chemical dependency program.  He attended parenting classes and got counseling for domestic violence.  He put himself on a path of improvement but realized he needed help as he took his next step – finding a career path and becoming a positive member of society.

Since graduating from the TOOL Center program, Eric has found a new sense of commitment not only to his family and children but to the community at large.  His high-wage job as an electrical worker would seem to be a landing point for some.  For Eric, it is just the next step forward.  His passion is to advise, mentor and be an inspiration for others. He’s already found a way to do so as he often shares his personal story at treatment centers and regularly visits new students in the Tool Center to be the example of “how to get over the bumps and find a better life.” 

Eric continues to grow in his career, working on more training and certifications. He now has his children with him full-time. And he says, for the first time since he was 19, he has a car, insurance, and his own credit card.  He hopes to one day buy his own home. With is undying enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to grow, we have no doubt Eric will realize all his dreams for the future.

Sound Outreach is currently recruiting for the March 2020 cohort for the TOOL Center. If you are interested fill out an inquiry form to sign-up for an upcoming orientation.