Jose Gregorio Parada Hernandez traveled from Venezuela to the United States. He was given an opportunity for a life free from repression, fear and a lack of basic human rights.
Fueled by hope and courage, Jose finally ended up in Denver where he came to Heartbeat Denver. Jose immediately displayed his commitment and willingness to work but was without work authorization. Jose had to look any kind of a day job he could find. Every morning he would get up and look for handyman jobs, shoveling snow or just about anything people needed him to do. He didn’t always get work, so he volunteered his time at Heartbeat Denver doing chores and participating in our life skills classes.
Jose worked hard, saved his money and in about 2 months time he was able to get his official work authorization.
“Heartbeat Denver was there with me every step of the way.”
Jose
Once Jose got his work permit he wasted no time and within a few days had, not one but two jobs. He worked at a supermarket during the day and at night worked as a laundry attendant at a downtown hotel.
Jose, having learned better financial management skills from our Life Skills Program, was able to save and budget his money effectively. And with the help from our Program Management office he was able to find affordable housing and purchase his first car. Jose has now moved out of the shelter and his doing very well creating a new life in America. Jose stops by periodically to say hi and let us know he is doing fine.
Jose is a wonderful example, and only one of many examples, of how Heartbeat Denver helped over 70 immigrants in 2023. Many came to Denver with nothing and we helped them get asylum dates transferred from other states to Colorado, apply for work authorizations, get jobs, learn skills and find housing.
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