From Dreaming to Doing: Meet Nash

Nash had a pretty good idea of what he wanted his future to look like. Like many young people preparing for adulthood, he was figuring out what came next, what kind of work interested him, what he wanted to build toward and how to turn those ideas into something real.

Nash moved into The Station in June of this year. While there he talked about his interest in working in security. He knew he wanted to become a security guard and eventually build a career in the field, but he wasn’t sure how to get started. He didn’t have security experience yet, and the path from interest to finding a job and building a career can feel long.

In addition to serving as a dorm-style emergency shelter for young people ages 18–24, The Station was designed to be a launch pad for life. It’s tailored to safely house youth as they partner with their care team to develop a plan for their future. With the support of Immerse staff, including his coaches Ray Lee and Jay Willson, housing manager Malika Rowan and therapist Taylor Hill, Nash started working through what that next step could look like. Together, they talked about his goals, explored opportunities that could help him gain experience and found a path that could move him closer to the career he had in mind.

This led Nash to Job Corps, a program that helps young people finish their education while training for a career. Nash applied and was accepted, giving him a way to transition out of The Station and into an opportunity aligned with the future he had been dreaming about.

Nash still frequents The OC and is almost always wearing his uniform proudly. It’s not unusual to see him walk through the doors in his Job Corps security uniform, excited about what he’s learning and the work he’s doing.

Getting to watch Nash’s progression has been meaningful. When he entered The Station, he had a goal for himself. His coach, therapist and circle of support helped him figure out what it would take to pursue that goal and watched him take those steps for himself.

Nash’s story is a great example of why transition matters. Leaving The Station doesn’t mean a young person has to figure everything out on their own. With the right support, connections and opportunities, the next step can become much clearer.

For Nash, that next step was Job Corps. Now, he’s gaining experience in the career he once dreamed about and building toward the future he wants.

We’re proud of Nash and the work he has put into getting here. We’re even more excited to see where he goes next!