Through SK’s Eyes — Watching Durell Step into Opportunity

SK Keating, an Employment and Stabilization Specialist at Pine Street, works to connect job training program trainees with employment and job readiness skills. Leading up to this year’s Workforce Development Graduation, he reflected on his work with graduate speaker, Durell

“Durell is a person who exudes a sense of quiet resilience and resolution,” says SK. “He entered Pine Street Inn’s iCater job training program solemn and serious, with his goals of employment and housing top of mind. He was anxious to get started, but you would never know from his stoic demeanor.”

“In his calm, collected voice, Durell wasted no time telling me that he had been applying to jobs for months without success. He had been incarcerated in the past, and this prevented employers from looking beyond his history, even though he was well-qualified,” he continues. “I knew he was tired and frustrated from facing so much discrimination, but he was never one to give up. Every week, Durell and I met to polish his resume, submit applications and practice his interview skills. Over time, Durell and I got to know each other more, and slowly his good-natured humor began to shine through.”

“Within just a few weeks, the Cactus Club Café interviewed Durell and offered him a position in their kitchen. I knew we had to celebrate Durell’s hard work, so I organized our traditional bell-ringing celebration in the kitchen. Throughout the chefs’ speeches and a rowdy rouse of applause, Durell couldn’t stop grinning ear to ear — something he would have been hesitant to show when he first began the program,” shares SK.

“When it came time to choose a graduation speaker, I felt the obvious choice was Durell — steadfast, confident and kind, never letting any disappointments slow him down,” he concludes. “Pine Street’s job training program graduation allowed staff, family and the Pine Street community to celebrate Durell’s and his classmates’ achievements and everything they overcame to reach this milestone.”