NQ Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve program providing jobseekers with meaningful employment
A 46-year-old man who used to dream about the life he is living now during his time in a homeless shelter has graduated from a Cowboys community program. See how its transformed his life.
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A man who struggled with homelessness and poverty for the last 20 years says he is now living his dreams after being provided with the stepping stones to meaningful employment by a Cowboys community program.
The Dream, Believe, Achieve program provides opportunities to jobseekers to gain industry skills and employment, with this year’s cohorts graduating with a Certificate 3 in hospitality.
Richard O’Brien is one of these graduates, who said that the opportunities he has been provided are nothing short of a fairytale.
O’Brien never graduated high school, and after spending the past four years in a homeless shelter, he never thought that he would be able to achieve financial stability.
“When you are homeless, it affects your employment, and then you give up. I gave up looking for work for many, many years, employers just wouldn’t give me a chance,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I didn’t have the skill set, and I didn’t know where to get the skill set.”
After hearing about a program from a successful graduate who had lived through similar experiences as him, the 46-year-old decided to go all in on a chance of a better life.
“One of the homeless guys found the course, he did it and he got a job. He’s been working at Cowboys for two years now.”
“With my background, it’s hard to get employment, and I was so worried about failing; I still worry now, but not as much.”
After completing his certificate, O’Brien was officially hired by the Ville and is working in the back of house.
“It’s very empowering. I wouldn’t have done it without the help and assistance from the course,” he said.
“I’ve been recommending the course to as many people as I can, I tell family, friends, everyone, even people I meet on the streets.”
“I used to dream about this, now I get to actually live it.”
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Originally published as NQ Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve program providing jobseekers with meaningful employment
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