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Jerry Stranix,Jr., Michael Stranix (nephew),
Jerry Stranix, Alex Lukynyuk
Successful and Thankful
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Gerald Stranix graduated from
the OOR program on 12/13/04.According to Site Manager Rich
Smidtke, he was a hard worker and an excellent student, with
previous tile setting and construction experience. His first
job after arriving at the Community Center was at a
warehouse, for $110 a week. “Of that I paid $65 to the
Center and bought a transit pass for $20.That left me $25
for the week.” Jerry made it on that until he was hired as a
tile setter in March 2005 for $15 an hour. He has gotten
regular increases and with his current title of foreman
makes $28 per hour. Some of his duties as foreman include
supervising 18 employees - estimating job materials and
scheduling. Jerry has also started his own company, JM Tile,
which employs eight full time workers. Jerry said that his
OOR training and his interaction with the crew and staff
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played a huge part in his
success. He said that the resume that was developed for him
helped get him the job. For this he is very thankful. Jerry
looks for chances to speak to troubled teens, individually
and in groups. He wants to influence them to set goals and
work toward them, a practice he started while in prison. He
thinks that other inmates can change their lives by first
believing that good things can happen and then using
whatever is available to them at the time to work toward
their goals. “I prayed every day for good things to happen
and I give all credit to my faith in my God,” he said.. Two
more good things: he was married in September 2005 and he
and his wife are expecting their first child in March.
By Rich Smidtke and Gail Mull
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Princess
Joins
the CReW
See pg 3 |
