After arriving from Venezuela and facing years of underemployment, Jose Salazar found his path forward through The Storehouse’s programs — ultimately landing a career-aligned role at Hilti. His story is a powerful example of transformation made possible through the generosity of our community. Watch the video below to hear Jose's story:

Jose Salazar, his wife, Ana, and their two daughters, Sofia and Ana Lucia, came to the United States from Venezuela in 2018. Jose is a public accountant with a postgraduate degree in auditing and tax control. He worked for nearly 17 years in the auditing field at various institutions, including seven years as the external auditor for the mayor of the city of El Vigia.

Jose and his family first learned about The Storehouse through a relative, and they visited the food pantry in 2022. Since then, the family has engaged in multiple programs and classes, including receiving clothing from Joseph’s Coat and taking ESL courses in The Academy. Additionally, Jose completed the fall 2024 Accounting Clerk Certificate through The Storehouse’s partnership with Collin College.

“My limited technical English in accounting was creating an ever-growing barrier to progress,” stated Jose Salazar. “The jobs I held had nothing to do with my field. It was frustrating and, most importantly, I was poorly paid. The solution to these problems was clear: move forward, study, stop complaining, focus on my goal, and stay consistent. I needed to accept where I was and where I wanted to go and take advantage of the opportunities offered to me with good faith and gratitude.”

In May 2024, Jose was hired as an apprentice at The Storehouse’s job partner, Hilti. Throughout the apprenticeship, Jose had high-quality, stable employment, and the team at Hilti took the time to cross-train him in various functions and teams, get to know his strengths, and determine what area he would most excel in after his apprenticeship ended.

During his apprenticeship, Jose had the opportunity to travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to meet with Hilti’s finance team. Because of the English skills he learned through The Academy, the English-language accounting terms he learned through the Accounting Clerk Certificate, and the dedicated care he received during his time at Hilti, Jose was hired in November as Accounting Administrator for Hilti North America.

Coming full circle, Jose is now back working in a field of his choosing—one in which he excels and had been educated and trained to do in his home country, within an outstanding global company vested in his success and future.

When asked about his journey, Jose reflected, “I have learned that change must come from within. It is important to be consistent, accept help with humility and patience, and know how to make the most of the support we receive.”

Jose’s dedication and perseverance, coupled with the strength of The Storehouse’s partnership with Hilti, led to an incredible outcome. This is an example of The Storehouse’s vision realized—that neighbors who first come to The Storehouse for basic needs would find a community that provides resources, connections, and opportunities that lead to transformation and living wage employment.