From My First Home to Pathways to Financial Power

Growing up, I had to figure out a lot of stuff on my own. I went into foster care  when I was 6, but my father was able to overcome his addiction. He took parental classes and got us back. Unfortunately, that was short lived. He was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away 2 years later.  

I was 13 and didn’t go back to foster care. Life hit me kind of hard. Most people learn from their parents, but I had a lot to figure out on my own. I feel like if I had found JIT sooner I would have had more support when I was going through that.

My first service was My First Home. I found a place to live, but I didn’t have any furniture at all, like I didn’t have a bed or even a couch or any of the general necessities. Just in Time helped tremendously with that. They gave me furniture and a microwave, they definitely  made my home homier.  

The Rise to Resilience service has also been really great. It’s been awesome to connect with like-minded people. Everyone relates to you and guides you with self-care. It’s really uplifting. The workshops on fitness were big ones for me.  

Someone at the workshop said, “we go to work, we work really hard for our employer, but we come home so exhausted that we don’t want to put in the same work for ourselves,” and I completely relate to that.  

After a long day at work, going to the gym doesn’t feel like a big priority on your “To Do” list, but you kind of owe it to yourself, to become better every day, stronger physically and mentally.

We also take time to have fun. We’ve done painting and sometimes we blow bubbles, just fun stuff that doesn’t have to be super serious. You know? Just taking a step back and enjoying the moment.

Right now I work construction. I do a lot of work for the city on sewer lines and storm drains, sizable projects. It’s a lot of hard work that not many people like to do. But I went to school for this, I went through an apprenticeship that helped me get certifications. 

I feel like this is a good career and I make pretty good money, but I wouldn’t say I love what I do. I do it to make ends meet. But in JIT’s Pathways to Financial Power service I’m planning to go the entrepreneur route. I have a business plan (Bliss Portraits) and am a finalist in their Shark Tank competition.  

Everything I’ve gone through has helped me gain character and build resilience. It makes me appreciate things a lot more, especially the little things, like having a roof over my head, having a car, knowing I have food in my fridge. And I’m happy to be a part of the Just in Time community because it’s impacted my life so much.

Anthony joined the Just in Time community in 2021. It was the first step on an inspiring journey of empowerment and entrepreneurship! On September 14th, Anthony will compete in JIT’s Shark Tank finals for a chance to win seed money for his business, Bliss Portraits, which specializes in affordable outdoor photography for families, students, graduates, couples, and maternity sessions.