Impact Testimony: The Story of Pedro Jaramillo
Pedro Jaramillo arrived in the United States in October 2024 with his wife and three children, originally from Venezuela. His decision to emigrate was driven by love for his family and the hope for a better future. Two of his children face significant health challenges: one with a motor disability and the other with an eye tumor. In Venezuela, they did not have access to the appropriate medical treatment, so they made the brave decision to start a new life elsewhere.
The beginning was not easy. Pedro recalls the challenges of the language barrier, the change in climate, and the search for housing. However, he found a strong source of support in Centro de los Trabajadores, which he learned about through the WorkReady program. From the very beginning, what impacted him the most was the human warmth, education, and guidance he received to understand the system in this new country.
Pedro made the most of every learning opportunity. He participated in English, computer skills, financial education, labor rights, and cultural integration classes. In addition, he completed the Construction Program, where he earned the MC3 certificate and the OSHA 10 card. “This program helped me get my current job and grow in my knowledge of construction measurements, parameters, and terminology that I previously did not know. All of this training also helps me communicate, understand others, and feel like part of this society,” he shares.
Thanks to the support of Centro de los Trabajadores, Pedro not only prepared his résumé and attended interviews, but also received ongoing guidance throughout the entire job search process. That effort soon paid off: he secured a job at Everline, where he started as a road marking and maintenance worker for roads and parking lots.
Today, thanks to his dedication and the preparation he received, Pedro has been promoted to the position of Group Supervisor. “I have more responsibilities, but also more financial stability for my family. Centro de los Trabajadores was the guide that helped me achieve this.”
When asked what message he would give to other immigrants beginning this journey, Pedro responds with conviction: “Trust Centro de los Trabajadores. They do help, they do guide, and they do open doors for personal and professional growth.”
For Pedro and his family, Centro de los Trabajadores means more than a training program. It represents the possibility of a dignified, stable, and hopeful future. “Centro de los Trabajadores has been extraordinary for us. Thanks to them, we now have stability in our work and family life.”
Written by; Noris Castillo