06/02/2026
One Year Later: Derek’s Story
A year after graduating from SidexSide and stepping into a new opportunity with Our Blood Institute, Derek – referred by Firm Foundation – is still showing up early, putting in the work, and building a different future one day at a time.
Over the past year, Derek has accomplished several significant milestones: he has graduated from his sober living program, celebrated 17 months of sobriety, gained the trust of his leadership team, and is currently being considered for a coordinator/supervisor position at work. Throughout this journey, he has remained engaged with the SidexSide family, offering encouragement to others and reinforcing the importance of long-term support, even taking on a role in our Alumni Council.
This year has not been easy. In November, Derek lost his mother. In the middle of grief and uncertainty, he decided to keep moving forward.
“One thing I just keep doing is putting one foot in front of the other and choosing not to ‘pick back up’ today.”
That mindset has carried him through some incredibly difficult moments and into real stability. He recently shared that SidexSide gave him more than job training. It gave him people who felt like family, people who encouraged him and believed in him when he wasn’t sure he believed in himself.
At SidexSide, we often talk about employment as a bridge to stability, but Derek’s story is a reminder that retention, consistency, community, and hope matter just as much as placement.
We are incredibly proud of Derek and grateful to employer partners like Our Blood Institute who continue to create opportunities for people to rebuild their lives and grow long after graduation.
