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Baltimore

Andrea Tovar
In Baltimore, Success Stories

Mario’s Success Story

Before Mario found JARC Baltimore, life was uncertain. After a work injury at a seasonal factory, he was laid off and took on odd jobs to get by. “Before that I was working in a seasonal factory. I had an on-the-job, work injury, so they laid me off.” When a friend told him about JARC, he decided to give welding a try. “I liked what I was hearing, and I jumped on it,” Mario recalls. Expecting book work, he was surprised to find hands-on training that he loved. “When I saw the hands-on, I automatically fell in love with it because that’s the type of stuff I like to do, working my hands, and I can build stuff, break it down.” His instructors, Miss Kay and Miss Synnamin, provided crucial guidance. “They did a wonderful job helping me better understand everything, fusion of metal, the machines, everything.”

”JARC Baltimore to me means family... They go out their way to make sure students are good in all aspects, personal and school-wise.

MarioWelding Graduate at JARC Baltimore

”When I saw the hands-on, I automatically fell in love with it because that’s the type of stuff I like to do, working my hands

MarioWelding Graduate at JARC Baltimore

Although the first two weeks were nerve-wracking for Mario, he stayed focused and committed. “Once I really took a step back, listened to my teachers, and tried what they suggested, after that it was smooth sailing.” His dedication paid off: “I passed certification the first test plate I sent through.” Support at JARC went beyond training. “Everyone was wonderful. If I needed help with questions, anything about school or personal, people went beyond their measures to make sure not just me, but everyone was taken care of.” Mario even helped fellow students, calming frustrations and offering hands-on help. During his time at JARC, he received 17 income support sessions, along with one-on-one coaching in employment and finance. He also participated in 26 workshops focused on financial literacy, job readiness, and educational growth.

After graduation, JARC’s job placement team helped Mario find welding opportunities.

Despite some setbacks, he persevered. A call from Brian Miller at Local 219 changed everything: “I just got a phone call from Mr. Brian saying, ‘meet me here,’ and the next day I was a career apprentice with Western Industrial Union Local 219 making $17.60/hr.”

Now, five months in, Mario is thriving as a pre-apprentice welder and assembler, earning over $18.54 per hour. “I love it because I see all this working in my hands… Western has good people who don’t criticize you and are willing to help if you don’t know.” Mario’s life has improved in many ways. “Financially, physically, it did wonders. I bought another car, so I got two cars, me and my wife. Physically, I’m getting stronger from the heavy lifting.” He also treasures diversity at work. “I love meeting different people from other states and parts of the world, learning their culture and language.”

When asked what JARC means to him, Mario says without hesitation: “JARC Baltimore to me means family… They go out their way to make sure students are good in all aspects, personal and school-wise.” His advice to others is simple: “You must be willing to put the time and effort into it because they expect the same commitment from you that they give to teach us. Just show up on time, be willing to learn, and have a good attitude.” Thanks to JARC, Mario isn’t just building metal structures; he’s building a stable, fulfilling career.

Olive Dwan
In Baltimore, Chicago, Events, Rhode Island

Support JARC and Change Lives on Giving Tuesday 2025!

On December 2nd, 2025,

Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) is joining organizations around the world in celebrating philanthropy.

As JARC commemorates our 40 years of impact, we are striving to make this year’s campaign more successful than ever. Your support will help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 and make a meaningful difference in our trainees’ lives!  

With this year’s funding challenges, we are relying more than ever on people like you to support us!

Donate now to support JARC!Purchase JARC Merchandise!

A huge shout-out and heartfelt thank you to our incredible Leader Sponsor at Freedman Seating Company for their generous support in matching our Giving Tuesday donations!

At JARC, we ensure that those who work do not live in poverty.

We do this by offering free training for careers in manufacturing like Welding and Computer Numerical Control, focusing on lower-income and unemployed adults. We also provide wrap-around supportive services such as adult literacy education, public aid application assistance, employment coaching, and financial coaching.

”“JARC was definitely my springboard that catapulted me to where I am now.”

Toncé, JARC Chicago Welding Program Graduate

Before discovering JARC, JARC Chicago Welding Program Graduate Toncé faced significant challenges. Her past created barriers that made finding stable, traditional employment difficult. Enrolling in JARC’s Welding program, Toncé committed herself to reinventing her life.  

JARC’s comprehensive support was instrumental in Toncé’s transformation. After completing the program, she secured a job at Freedman Seating as a robotic welder. With the foundation she built at JARC, Toncé continued to grow, eventually starting her own business, Restored and Delivered Cleaning Company LLC.  

Today, Toncé is thriving, both professionally and personally. She attributes her resilience and adaptability to the skills and confidence she gained through JARC’s program. “JARC was definitely my springboard that catapulted me to where I am now,” she says.  

This Giving Tuesday,

here are some ways that you can support us in sustaining our programming and mobilizing people out of poverty:

Donate to support JARC

Donate now at your level of choosing—every dollar makes a difference! Support a specific area of our work that speaks to you, such as funding one week of hands-on manufacturing training, buying a pair of steel-toe boots for a new trainee, or helping design and create JARC’s first-ever mascot! 

Thanks to our generous sponsors this year, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $7,500, doubling the impact of your gift!

Donate now to support JARC!

Enter Our Giveaway!

All donations over $100 enter to win a limited-edition mug and donations over $500 enter to win a limited-edition tote bag and mug. These items are designed by our trainees and graduates!

Donate now and enter our giveaway!

40th Anniversary Gear Tote Bag

Purchase JARC Merchandise

Visit our store and purchase our limited-edition t-shirts and mugs designed by our trainees and graduates! Every purchase helps us reach our goal, and fund free training and support services. Wear their story, fuel our mission!

Purchase JARC Merchandise!

Christopher, JARC Chicago Welding trainee, with his winning design! 

Chris Unisex Heavy Cotton

$34.99

Buy Now!

Thank you to our generous

matching sponsors!

Leader Level:

Partner Level:

If you have any questions, please contact us at development@jane-addams.org. We appreciate your consideration and hope you will join us in celebrating this special day! 

Important: All donations are designated as General Operating funds to support JARC’s programs and services. While we’ve included examples of what contributions at different levels could help achieve, individual gifts are not earmarked for specific items or programs. Your support helps us continue serving our trainees and community in the areas of greatest need. 

Andrea Tovar
In Baltimore, Success Stories

Felipe – Success Story 

When Felipe first arrived in the United States, he worked in restaurants, starting as a dishwasher and gradually moving up to become a general manager. “When I got here, I started as a washer, and I moved up, moved up until I became a general manager,” he recalls. While he valued the skills and English he gained in the restaurant industry, Felipe realized he had reached a plateau. “Being a general manager, I felt stuck. I knew, there would come a point where I’d feel stuck. And that’s what happened. I was like, I’m a general manager, I don’t want to take the next step, but I also don’t see myself as a regional manager at 30 years old.” 

”“The part I liked most was job development, practicing interviews. That, plus soft skills sessions, was excellent. I’d never done job interviews before. This prepared me well.”

FelipeCNC Graduate, JARC Baltimore

Looking for a change, Felipe explored opportunities that aligned with his background in mechanical engineering, which he studied for three years in Venezuela. He discovered JARC Baltimore’s CNC training program and immediately saw a path to a career that truly interested him. “When I saw this CNC program, I had the opportunity before to have a lab class back in Venezuela. It was called metallurgy, working with lathes, presses, and all that; but all manually, nothing automated.” Felipe was drawn to the computerized nature of the program and the chance to develop technical skills that would translate into a stable, fulfilling career. 

During the program, Felipe encountered challenges but overcame them with determination and support from JARC.

Learning to operate the CNC machines and programming codes was difficult at first, but he found effective ways to master the curriculum. “What I did was record a video of the instructor explaining each step, then at home I made notes. Step one was this, step two was that. The next day, I followed all steps and told the instructor I was ready to operate the machine. That helped a lot. That was the hardest part.” He also received crucial support from JARC, including gas cards and financial assistance to repair his vehicle, allowing him to focus on completing the program. While in the program, Felipe received two financial coaching sessions, one employment session, and one income support counselling session. He also attended three financial workshops, where he learned practical skills like budgeting and money management. 

Felipe’s experience at JARC went beyond technical skills. Job development sessions, mock interviews, and soft skills training prepared him for the professional world. “The part I liked most was job development, practicing interviews. That, plus soft skills sessions, was excellent. I’d never done job interviews before. This prepared me well.” These experiences, combined with the guidance of instructors and staff, positioned him for success in manufacturing. 

Today, Felipe is thriving in his new career as a CNC Machine Operator at Pace Worldwide. The stability and satisfaction of this role have transformed his life and opened doors for future growth. “If they want a career change and are interested in manufacturing, this is the place. The support team is great, and the program gives you freedom to succeed. It opens doors to new careers.” Reflecting on his journey, Felipe calls his experience at JARC Baltimore a true stepping stone: “It [JARC] opens doors and prepares you for success in a new career. The first door in manufacturing; after that, many doors open.” Thanks to JARC Baltimore, Felipe has transitioned from uncertainty to a career he enjoys, a testament to the power of dedicated training, supportive staff, and a clear path to opportunity.