My name is Lawrence and I am a second-year apprentice with your company. I would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you. Just under two years ago, I had no dreams, goals or sense of direction of what I wanted in life. I made some poor choices and never thought or planned for my future because I wasn’t sure whether or not I would last another day. I could write an entire series of books of ‘what not to do’ in life. After a few months in jail, I vowed to do everything I could and not waste another moment in my life.
I was released on August 11, 2016, and was determined to make up for lost time. My brother is a Master Electrician and convinced me that it was a rewarding career. After talking with him and doing my own research, I made my decision that I was going to be an electrician and learn the trade. I was 36 years old with no family, house or car for that matter -- but there was nothing that was going to stop me from accomplishing the goals I had set for myself. I walked into the doors of the Weifield office with a weak resume. The only thing I had on my side was determination and the will to succeed — or so I thought.
The next thing that happened, I will never forget. I was sitting across from your safety manager, Brad Boswell; I explained to him my past and thought in my head that this is where this story would end. Then he stunned me with a response that actually made my eyes swell. He said, “Son, I don’t care too much about your past. I care about your future. Do you care about your future?" There were no words to describe the feeling I had. It was the feeling that I was on my way and everything will be all right.
Here I sit, a year and nine months later. I have a home full of furniture, a nice car, and a gorgeous loving woman whom I'm engaged to. As of two weeks ago, I am also a father. We had a beautiful, healthy baby boy named Ocean.
I love my job. The opportunity that Weifield has given me has made my dreams and goals a reality. I have had the pleasure of working with amazing foremen and crew members. Your company — my company — feels like family. I wake up excited to go to work and this is something I thought was impossible to do. I can never thank you enough for giving me the chance to turn my life around.