Tresean Morgan says he was headed in the wrong direction until his sister suggested he go to the Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center.

“I was trying to change my life around. And this is like the opportunity she said, that I needed. And, I trust her, so I ended up here.” And, guess what he added, “Big Sis knew best.”

The carpentry trade is where Tresean landed. “I choose carpentry because I like to build things, and I like to draw; I just like the versatility of it. Plus, with this job, there’s a lot more money.”

And, he says that’s important. He hopes to work for a union. “The goal is to be a superintendent.” And, he would also like to go to college and get his degree in construction management.

Tresean says he knows it won’t be easy, but he won’t sell himself short.

“It’s definitely hard work. Somedays I’ve been ready to quit. But, at the end of the day I feel like it’s worth it. Eventually you could become your own boss in this type of job.”

And, how are the center staff helping him?

“Some of the smartest people I’ve met work there. Like the stuff that I see as hard or difficult, they come out and show it to me in like two seconds. When I leave, I’m going to be able to put myself in a position and make more money that I ever would of, before I got here.”

And Tresean knows that’s an accomplishment.

“My whole family is proud of me. Before I came here, I was doing a lot of things that weren’t good, you know? Now, they can brag about me.”

And what about big sister? Well she’s his biggest fan. “If it wasn’t for my sister, I wouldn’t be here today. If she wouldn’t have put me on to this program. Big sister was definitely right about this.”