How Our Cybersecurity Program Gave Nick a Reboot

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Nick. 

The day he moved to Atlanta, he heard about an opening to work security at City of Refuge’s front gate. Would he be interested? Nick said yes and started the next day. 

That decision turned out to be a turning point in his life.

From physical security to cybersecurity 

Previously, Nick had been working at a detention center and bouncing in Buffalo, NY. But he wanted more from his life and vocation. 

At 21, he’d suffered a near-fatal heart failure. “I always felt I was here for a purpose,” Nick said. “But I had no clue what that was.”

While working security at City of Refuge’s front gate, he found out about our Cybersecurity Training Course. “The fact that it was a free program blew my mind,” he said. He applied to the program and was accepted shortly after. 

During the course, Nick and his fellow students learned the fundamentals of cybersecurity, as well as a host of life and professional skills. They also got to network with local businesses looking for great talent. 

As the class neared its end, Nick began pursuing full-time opportunities. Eventually, he landed a full-time job with a Fortune 500 company. 

The hand of God

In all this, Nick doesn’t see coincidence. He sees the hand of God.  

“There’s no way I could’ve planned this out. [God] seemed to have put things in perfect order, and I just had to stay faithful.”

When asked what he would say to City of Refuge supporters who make job training programs like his possible, Nick was at a loss for words. 

“I don't even know if I have the words for it,” he said. “[City of Refuge] wants to help as many people in this community as possible. I saw it in action when I worked at the front gate. And now I’m a part of it. I’ve experienced it. It’s a beautiful thing.” 


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