After years working in the fast food industry, Ashley felt undervalued and unappreciated. She reached a breaking point and spontaneously quit, but was then unsure about which industry to turn to. In this time of uncertainty and frustration, Ashley found Open Door Group’s Jobs in Demand program through a poster on the window of the Employment Services Centres. They were advertising for their Jobs In Demand Security cohort, and Ashley had always been interested in helping people and keeping them safe. “I thought, ‘Why not?’” said Ashley.

The program turned out to be just what Ashley needed to get back on her feet. Her case managers and cohort members provided a support system, and the learning opportunities and certifications gave her confidence for the future. After the program, Ashley got a job with Paladin Security. It was everything she had hoped for, and completely different from her previous work environment. Now, when people chat with her on shift, she tells them she has the best job in the world.

Ashley is already advancing within the industry and setting new goals for herself. After starting with Paladin, she realized that she could utilize her eye for detail and work towards becoming a private investigator. Without the support of Open Door Group, Ashley says she never would have realized that she had that ability.  “In this job, I feel like I’ve completed something that I’ve worked towards,” said Ashley. “I honestly have appreciated this journey more than any other journey I’ve been on.”