Meet Our Tenant

Justin in his new home.

Fairford house.

Meet Justin, one of our College-to-Career (C2C) graduates who just moved into our recently renovated house on Fairford Avenue in Norwalk. He’s celebrating two milestones - graduating in June from Long Beach City College with a degree in Radio & Television, and moving into his new home last week. He currently works at the AMC Marina Pacifica Movie Theater in Long Beach as an usher but has big plans to someday build a career at the Los Angeles-based Korean radio station, Radio Seoul 1650.

Justin with former Mayor of Long Beach, Bob Foster.

Justin couldn’t say enough nice things about the C2C program as he went down the list of how much it had given him. Most importantly, the program helped him stay on track to complete college through one-on-one tutoring and educational coaching, and gave him the opportunity to be independent and live on his own for the first time in his life. He is still adjusting to living away from his family, but is “feeling more comfortable” with every passing day.

Justin with his roommate Sam.

 When asked what he does in his spare time, Justin brought up golf, clearly something he’d like to do more of.  But he really came alive when he started talking about his love for food. Justin is a big fan of cooking and has a passion for flavor and taste. He can put together a delicious, healthy chicken stir-fry as well as bake a mouth-watering, crispy shepherd’s pie which his roommate attested to. He is a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to try new restaurants whenever he can.  And, when he’s not working or puttering around his new home, you can catch Justin watching the latest episode of Unwrapped, The Simpsons, or his favorite chef Emeril Lagasse on TV.

There are many more young people like Justin for whom the C2C program is a lifeline to a fuller, more satisfying, future – whether it’s providing support as they work toward that all important college degree or assistance in securing their first independent living opportunity.  If you would like to help the Justin’s of the community by providing a donation to HOPE’s C2C program, please click here to support!