Tyler

Tyler spent time in jail and prison on drug charges, and it was not always easy to readjust to society.

“After being a heroin addict and an opioid addict for eight years, I kind of got to a point where I was done with it. There were jobs where I got turned down, definitely I got turned down. ‘your background check came through,’ and they said, ‘it’s a little more than we want to take on.’”

Tyler was recently able to find a job making $11.50 an hour at a linen rental company. Shortly after that, he heard about the Excel Program and decided to apply. Since March he has been receiving $600 per month in guaranteed income.

“It allowed me to have a savings account, like for if something went wrong.”

In addition to a financial cushion, he said this program has helped change his outlook on life.

“I think being able to surround myself with good people, it keeps me going and keeps my head on straight. I’m always going to have the past I had, but there’s no future that’s set in stone. So, I can make what I want to make out of it.”

(Story gathered by Crystal Price, CBS17)