As Women in Construction Week wraps up, we wanted to share a Fresh Start success story with you—meet Amanda.* Amanda has been a single mother for nearly 18 years. Despite five years in remote network engineering, her income wasn’t enough. Determined to make a change, Amanda moved her family into a home with her sister and began searching for ways to boost her income. During this search, Amanda found Fresh Start through a Facebook ad. “I know now that Fresh Start helps women at all levels. I’m not homeless; I have a job, but I still meet the criteria to be able to come in and get resources,” she shared. Excited to grow her skills, Amanda applied to Fresh Start’s Cable Harness Wiring program—and was accepted! She began the program in May 2024. “I’m a single mom, and I felt like Fresh Start’s entire concept of empowering women to be successful was really important…Whatever I had going on, I was able to work with someone to address that,” she shared. Though the technical skills were new to her, Amanda embraced the challenge. She didn’t expect the extra support she would receive—beyond technical training. Fresh Start helped her with improving her resume and mock interviews, boosting her confidence. By July 2024, Amanda had completed the Cable Harness Wiring program and enrolled in Fresh Start’s Grow with Google Career Certificate program in Project Management to further her development. “Fresh Start has certainly planted the seeds to have one job with a high income, and I see that I have a lot of resources available…I know there will always be something available here, so that has helped me a lot,” she said. Amanda has set goals for herself and her family. With her sights set on purchasing a home, she is determined to build a sustainable income. In the coming year, she is focused on securing a sustainable wage with a potential promotion. Here at Fresh Start, we encourage women like Amanda to take on these roles and pursue opportunities in construction, engineering, and technology. Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact that training and support can have on a woman’s career. Want to support women like Amanda? Donate today at https://hubs.la/Q039NYZv0
