Porfirio L. thrived during his time in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed the challenge, the discipline and the camaraderie. Through his military service, Porfirio felt he was a part of something greater than himself. As he planned for his future as he transitioned to civilian life, he initially thought law enforcement would be a good next step. Unfortunately, his aspirations in law enforcement didn't materialize, and he found himself without a job or a clear plan.
United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC)’s Mission United initiative strives to bridge the gap for veterans like Porfirio. Mission United’s military and veterans outreach and services help veterans, active duty military members and their families in North Texas find community resources and gain access to a variety of services including primary, specialty and mental health care; job training and employment; housing assistance; and education to develop skills for transitioning to civilian life.
An interest in computers led Porfirio to a technology training program financially supported by UWTC’s Mission United Veterans Fund and led by NPower Texas, an organization offering tuition-free, virtually-led technology training and certifications to veterans and their spouses.
One of United Way of Tarrant County’s primary focus areas is to prepare the current and future workforce to contribute to their own success through education and learning. This is evident through our support of programs in the North Texas community, such as the training offered by NPower Texas. Thanks to a $60,000 grant from the UWTC Mission United Veterans Fund, this organization enrolled 84 people in their fall 2022 Tech Fundamentals cohort. The program provided participants, including Porfirio, with the skills needed to pursue digital sector jobs. This program was just one of many supported by the Veterans Fund in 2022, with a total of $400,000 going to programs addressing the most crucial needs for veterans, active duty military members and their families.
During his time in the program, Porfirio learned computer technology basics and honed his professional skills, preparing him for a successful career in the tech industry. Despite initial doubts about starting this type of career later in life, Porfirio's dedication and hard work paid off when he landed a permanent full-time position with Citi.
“I thought I was too late to start in tech,” said Porfirio, “but NPower proved otherwise. I'm grateful for the opportunity NPower has provided me to set myself up for success.”
Porfirio's journey from the military to a career in the tech industry is a testament to the transformative power of the UWTC Mission United Veterans Fund. Contributions from Lockheed Martin and Bell, as well as individual donors, to our Veterans Fund allow UWTC to continue making a difference in the lives of people like Porfirio through our commitment to identifying pressing needs in our area and investing in programs and organizations in ways that amplify our supporters' impact.