Sheray Miller
“My name is Sheray Miller and I would like to express what the apprenticeship program means to me. The apprenticeship program is amazing. It saved my life. The program gave me a chance to have a better future. It showed me that I can actually achieve something for myself and my family.
I have one birth child and two adopted children from a family member and a friend. I did not want them to be in the system, so I decided to raise them. I hoped to give them a better future. I lived in Webster projects around guns, drugs and rats. My life consisted of my mail getting stolen, walking pass people sleeping in the building or my son helping me count change to buy milk. I struggled day by day working non union jobs. I had no health benefits and I worked from check to check. I was never able to save and at times didn’t have enough for groceries. I always wanted to go away to college or a trade school to learn a trade, which would lead me into a career in construction. However, I could not afford it. This is not what I wanted for my life or my kids. I never gave up.
When I learned about the apprenticeship program with the iron workers, my life changed. I finally felt as though I have a chance at a better life. I am able to earn a good wage, save, have health benefits and get a free education. I finally felt as though I was not stuck. I don’t have to settle for this life. Now with this opportunity I can finally live My American Dream. I finally got my driver’s license and I am driving. My son is in a better school and I am planning on purchasing a house by next year.
Now, I can live life, I don’t have to struggle, I can now feel secure in my future. Please support the Apprenticeship program. This program saves lives. I know because it saved mine, without it I don’t know where I would be.”