How a Cybersecurity Course Became “A Life Raft” for Don

In high school, Donevan Howard took up the harp. He went on to receive a music scholarship to the University of Michigan and toured all over the world. 

But after a health issue forced him to drop out, Don’s life stalled. He bounced from job to job in the service industry, making just enough to pay his bills. “I felt overworked and underpaid,” he said. “I didn’t feel respected.” 

One day, Don decided he’d had enough. Without any clear plan, he put in his two weeks notice. 40 minutes later, he got a text from a City of Refuge team member asking if he was still interested in the Cybersecurity program. 

“When I was at my lowest points, God said, ‘I got you.’” After orientation, Don gave himself an ambitious goal: within a year, he planned to double his salary. 

The experience wasn’t without its challenges. He attended class during the day and at nights worked as a server in a high-end, fast-paced restaurant. Most nights he wouldn’t get home until after midnight. “You still have homework to do. You still have a son to take to school. You still have a family to worry about. I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to do it…Those nine months were the hardest in my life.” 

But Don never gave up. He “worked his butt off” and went on to earn six certificates and graduate top of his class. 

Although he had high hopes of getting a new job fast, an opportunity was slow to materialize. “God really wanted to humble me first,” he said. For two months, Don went to multiple networking events a week, but nothing came from it. He was on the verge of quitting. 

Don decided to go to one last networking event. As providence would have it, there he connected with the CEO of Aaron’s Furniture. Shortly after, he began interviewing for a role at the company. 

Exactly one year to the day after he’d set a goal to double his salary, Don received a full-time offer. The salary was exactly double. “That was one of the happiest moments of my life. To see all that hard work pay off, the challenges I’ve had to overcome…”

When asked what he would say to donors and supporters who enable the Cybersecurity program, Don replied with a powerful question of his own:

“How do you say thank you when you've been drifting in an ocean for years, and finally a boat comes by and gives you a life raft? There are no words.”

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