Cassandra Gallagher (right)
“Never quit. Keep going.” That’s the motto for David Johnson, a former ordnance technician and sergeant who was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro near Irvine.
After leaving the military, Johnson explored a few different career paths. He worked as an auto mechanic, had an eight-year stint as a logger, and volunteered as an EMT firefighter. A back injury eventually forced him to shift gears professionally, and he joined Ken Small Industries for a decade before being laid off.
Facing limited professional prospects, Johnson knew he needed support, so he sought assistance from the Employment Development Department (EDD). He also enrolled with the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program through Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, Inc. as well as the Back2Work Program administered by Community Services Employment Training. Together, these programs and EDD’s assistance, provided Johnson with coordinated, comprehensive support.
With personalized help from Casandra Gallagher, a disabled veteran outreach program specialist with EDD, Johnson received targeted assistance in resume development, interview preparation, and other job readiness skills. Her guidance helped him stay focused on his long-term employment goals.
“During this journey, Mr. Johnson demonstrated the same resilience, determination, and perseverance that characterized his military service,” comments Gallagher. “He openly shared that there were times when he felt adrift, yet he refused to give up. His personal message, “Never quit, keep going,” became a reflection of his determination to move forward.”
According to Johnson, the assistance and support he received from Gallagher was “outstanding”, noting that her aid helped him get “back on track.” This past December, Gallagher helped him enroll in the Recycling Lives program, which enabled him to earn vocational certifications and reenter a work environment. Thanks to this assistance, Johnson was able to meet his employment goal, rejoining Ken Small Industries in Bakersfield this past April as a Class A belly dump semi-truck driver.
“His achievement represents more than securing a job; it marks the successful attainment of a long-term career goal and demonstrates the power of persistence, personalized employment services, and coordinated veteran support,” explains Gallagher.