Success Stories: Gail J.

Many of STRIVE’s clients come to us in their youth. Gail J.’s story is a little different. She was almost 50 when she came to STRIVE, harboring a secret that was crippling her emotionally and professionally. Gail had struggled with heroin and methadone use for years and had a drug felony conviction in 1989. Despite this history, she had had a successful career as an administrative assistant with several prominent organizations, including, ironically, as an assistant to Joseph Califano, former U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services. Gail was able to keep her drug use and criminal record a secret and enjoyed a certain degree of professional success.

But all that changed in 2002. The death of several close family members caused her life to spin out of control. This time her drug use came to the notice of her superiors and she lost her job.

She also found out that the world after 9/11 was a very different place. Companies were now doing routine and extensive background checks on their employees. She was afraid that her drug conviction would be discovered and that she would never get a job again. Being almost 50 years old added yet another complication. Scared to death and bereft of self-confidence, Gail spent over a year without a job and living off the generosity of friends and family. While trapped in this state of confusion and paralysis, Gail came across a flyer for STRIVE.

"Luckily, I had the courage to go to that first session," says Johnson. "It turned my life around. I took advantage of everything STRIVE had to offer." In addition to the core job-training program, she attended the organization’s career development program as well as a special program designed to help women deal with personal and professional issues.

"Thanks to STRIVE, I have finally faced up to my drug problem and have been clean for over 2 years," Johnson continues. "I’ve gotten my self-esteem back. And I’ve gotten my life back. I won’t let my past put a stop to my future."

Engaged to be married, Gail J. is presently working full-time as an administrative assistant at The Wireless Generation, a leading developer of educational assessment software. Although this is a temporary position, she hopes to find permanent work soon.

Gail is focused on completing her interrupted education. After meeting other women at STRIVE who have succeeded in going to college despite working full time, she is convinced that she can do it, too. In Gail's own words: "It’s never too late for a new beginning."

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