Real Stories, Real Success

Sarah M.

School Bus Driver, PS 234

Age 34 • Brooklyn, NY

Previously: Retail Associate at Target

Life was a constant struggle after I lost my retail job during the pandemic. With two kids to feed and bills piling up, I was working odd jobs just to stay afloat. My neighbor Maria mentioned Empire D...

Michael C.

School Bus Driver, Community School District 28

Age 48 • Queens, NY

Previously: Construction Foreman

After 20 years swinging hammers and lifting steel, my back was shot. Three herniated discs and chronic pain meant construction was over. At 48, starting over felt impossible. My wife Lisa suggested dr...

Linda R.

School Bus Driver, North Shore Schools

Age 41 • Nassau County, NY

Previously: Multiple Part-time Jobs (Diner waitress, house cleaner, retail)

Being a single mom is the hardest job in the world, especially when you're working three part-time jobs just to keep a roof over your head. I'd waitress at the diner from 6 AM to 2 PM, clean houses un...

Robert T.

School Bus Driver, District 21

Age 29 • Brooklyn, NY

Previously: Warehouse Worker

Working in a warehouse wasn't a career – it was just a paycheck. Twelve-hour shifts moving boxes, no windows, no interaction with people, no future. I was making $16/hour with no benefits, watching my...

Carmen V.

School Bus Driver, District 24

Age 52 • Queens, NY

Previously: Factory Worker (laid off)

After 15 years working at the same factory, I thought I had job security. Then came the announcement: 'Due to overseas production, we're closing this facility.' At 52, I was unemployed for the first t...

James D.

School Bus Driver, Commack Schools

Age 35 • Suffolk County, NY

Previously: Restaurant Manager

Managing a restaurant sounds glamorous until you're working 70-hour weeks, dealing with staff turnover, and barely making $40K a year. The breaking point came during the pandemic when we had to lay of...