Pima's Workforce Programs Providing Career Skills to Gospel Rescue Mission Guests

Cheri Gyuro, External Relations

Text by Kanika Samra, External Relations

At age 44, Oscar Casillas’s life is looking up. Until two years ago Oscar’s life had been like a never-ending hurdle race. From a childhood of neglect to a youth of recurring troubles and an adulthood of instability, he had to find the courage to set himself on the right path all on his own.

Today, Oscar has a stable job with prospects for growth and a family of his own. He credits much of this success to two institutions: Gospel Rescue Mission (GRM) and Pima Community College (PCC).

In spring 2022, Oscar found himself homeless, living with a cousin and struggling to find stable employment. He had bounced around working for moving companies and in construction. But the grounding that comes with steady work eluded him. Destiny perhaps always had another plan for him.

Through conversations with his cousin, Oscar learned about GRM and with nothing to lose decided to give them a try. Little did he know then that that would change the trajectory of his life. Once at GRM, he was encouraged to pursue a training program at PCC to prepare for a new career.

Oscar enrolled in PCC’s Workforce Training Program in the Culinary Arts and graduated in November 2022. While still in the program, he had found a job in the butcher section of a local supermarket. Since graduating, Oscar’s new credentials have secured him a raise and made him confident in his butchery skills. The pay increase may be a quantifiable measure of PCC’s impact on Oscar’s life, the college experience altered him in other profound ways. Faculty and staff at PCC showed they care, Oscar said. The encouragement he received helped him regain his confidence and focus his mind on new goals.

Together, PCC and GRM helped Oscar land on his feet.

From not having the right guidance or motivation to now actively setting and working toward new goals; Oscar said he’s grateful to the staff and faculty at GRM and PCC for their guidance and support.

The training he’s received at PCC has finally provided something he lacked all his life: stability.