I Lost My Job (and Almost My Home) But TERRA Helped Me Find Stability

By TERRA Staffing Group

Posted on May 11, 2021

For years, Dave C. had been self-employed and performing hard, physical labor. While he loved the work, it ended up taking a toll on his health. 

“I wore out. I got hip surgery and it was really difficult. After that, I went through a year and a half of physical therapy.”

Unfortunately, between the cost of his surgery and his long recovery, Dave found himself in an extremely tough financial situation. 

“I was in jeopardy of losing my house,” he explained. 

If he wanted to keep his home and pay his bills, Dave needed to find a new job fast!

However, since he could not go back to his previous work due to his health, Dave needed to start his career over entirely. 

The moment he healed enough to work again, he started looking for a job. 

Dave knew he could be an asset to a company. He had a lot of experience, was reliable and was an incredibly hard worker. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance. 

Right as Dave was starting to search for employment, however, COVID-19 hit. 

“I applied to jobs and everything was going good. Then one day nobody was hiring anymore.” 

But Dave didn’t give up. He couldn’t. 

“Honestly, I was desperate for a job,” he confided.  

So he reached out to TERRA’s Clackamas team for help and connected with Staffing Specialist Keeley Salazar. 

Keeley was instantly awed by Dave’s resilience and positive attitude, despite his difficult situation. 

She shared, “Dave had a bubbly personality. He was always so friendly and understanding! Not to mention, he showed reliability and great communication from the beginning.” 

That being said, while Keeley understood Dave’s urgent need for employment, she only had an entry-level, temporary position with a food production company available at that time. 

That didn’t deter Dave. He knew he could prove himself given the chance — so, he accepted the job.

His diligence and work ethic impressed his employers so much that they quickly brought him back in a temp-to-hire role. 

Again and again, Dave demonstrated his enthusiasm and drive.

According to Keeley, “Dave quickly made an impression! He was always punctual and showed up ready to work. He was curious about the job and always asked for additional shifts.”

In no time, his new company offered him a permanent role! Not only that, they gave him a raise and promoted him!

“It was such a relief,” Dave admitted. “I was so grateful. Even though the past year and a half was really difficult, I feel like I’m getting back on my feet. I’ve been able to pay all my bills again and I feel a lot more stable.”

Dave’s life has vastly improved financially and what’s great is that he also loves his job! 

“I like the food factory! I really enjoy the scale of it. The portion we put out is unbelievable. And it is the best company I’ve ever worked for. They really care.” 

Here’s Dave’s advice to someone who might be in a tough spot and struggling to find work:

“Just commit yourself to doing what you need to do to make it in life. If there’s something wrong, try to handle it and fix it. There’s employment everywhere. It’s up to you to make it work!” 

Congratulations, Dave! Thank you letting us play a part in your story!

Team Up With TERRA

Hoping to find a stable job that helps you pay the bills? Try partnering with TERRA in your employment search. 

We work with great local companies across a variety of industries in the Seattle-Puget Sound, Portland, Phoenix, and Denver metro areas. We can help connect you to great jobs and help you start a successful career that you’ll love! 

Contact us to learn what employment opportunities might be available to you. 

Due to COVID-19, we are limiting the number of visitors to our office. Please call, email or contact us through the TERRA app.

Categories: Success Stories

Tags: Clackamas, Clackamas Jobs, production jobs, Success Story

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