“I’m thankful for having a job where I get to help people every day.”
David Ramos served our country in the Army for three years and in the Air National Guard for five years. After his military service ended, he set out to find a job where he could give back to his community a different way. He knew right away that he wanted to work for an organization that shared his passion for caring for others.
After experiencing some difficulty finding a job in the small east Texas town where he lived, David was excited when he first learned about Upbring at a local job fair. Hopeful that he would meet the Youth Care Worker job specifications, David spoke with Claudia Robledo, Lead Shelter Unit Manager, to see if he was qualified for the position at Bokenkamp Children’s Center.
The unaccompanied children in our care at Bokenkamp often arrive feeling lost, lonely, frightened and worried that no one will be able to help them or understand what they’re trying to say. Compassionate staff members like David strive to help them feel heard and cared for.
“I think the discipline you learn while in the military combined with the compassion you gain for others who undergo trauma makes veterans exceptional Upbring employees,” David said. Similar to soldiers, many of the children we serve have witnessed violence or endured circumstances far beyond that experienced by their peers. David loves to be a listening ear while those in our care share stories about what they’ve been through.
When he’s not caring for children at Bokenkamp, David loves to try out new barbeque recipes and practice making his favorite foods. He also enjoys lifting weights, spending time at the beach and watching his favorite team, the Houston Texans, play. While he did some domestic traveling in the military, David also dreams of one day visiting Mexico and Spain to learn more about his family’s roots.
At Upbring, we are grateful for our veteran employees and appreciate their service to our country as well as our organization. By sharing David’s story, we hope to recognize and honor him and encourage other veterans to join our team.
If you are a veteran, know of one looking for a job or would like to help us advance our mission to break the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families and communities, please visit Upbring.org/Careers to view a list of open positions.