For much of her life, Brandi never imagined herself in a stable job, let alone a career. She carried the weight of her past, the kind of history that often leaves people convinced they will never have a real chance at success. “I had never had what most people would call a ‘real job,’” Brandi admits. “I didn’t even know where to start.”
That’s when she connected with 70×7 Life Recovery. The pre-employment program didn’t just give her a résumé or interview practice—it gave her hope. For the first time, she saw that her future could be different, that she could step into something steady and meaningful.
A First Step into the Workforce
After completing the 70×7 program, Brandi was placed at Trendway Corporation, one of 70×7’s partnering employers committed to giving second chances. On December 4, 2015, she began her first day on the panel line. It was intimidating at first—new routines, expectations, and a sense of responsibility she wasn’t used to.
But Brandi showed up. Day after day, she learned the rhythm of the work and built confidence in her ability to contribute. She stayed on the panel line for two and a half years, proving her reliability and determination.
Growing in Responsibility
Her hard work didn’t go unnoticed. After those first years, Brandi transferred to the UPS/Packing department, a role that came with new challenges and greater responsibility. For the next year and a half, she built on what she had already learned—how to adapt, how to problem-solve, and how to thrive in a team environment.
This season of growth solidified something inside her: she was no longer the person who had doubted her worth or ability. She was becoming someone dependable, skilled, and valuable.
A New Career
Then came the opportunity she never expected. On February 3, 2020, Brandi was offered a position as an Architectural Products Customer Care Specialist. Moving from the factory floor into an office role felt like a dream she hadn’t dared to dream.
“It was overwhelming at first,” she says. “I never thought I’d be in a job like this—working in customer care, learning computer systems, managing responsibilities I once thought were out of reach.”
But once again, Brandi rose to the challenge. With encouragement from her team and the foundation she built through 70×7, she stepped into her new role with confidence.
Living a Restored Life
Today, Brandi not only has a career—she has a restored life. She’s living proof of what’s possible when someone is given a second chance and the tools to succeed. From never having a “real” job to working as a Customer Care Specialist, her story reflects courage, perseverance, and the power of community support.
“70×7 helped me see that I had something to offer,” Brandi says. “They gave me the confidence to believe I could succeed—and now I know I can.”
