EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A second chance through education and job training helped Daniel Eller become the first and youngest graduate of the El Paso Promise Program, an initiative designed to help people with a history in the justice system get back on track after incarceration.<\/p>\n
Eller said he decided to take part in the program because \u201cI felt like it was a chance and that I should take it.\u201d <\/p>\n
Eller later added, \u201cIt was beneficial, you know. I feel like I gained a lot of experience, and I only grew from it at first, you know, but you learn, you experience things, and I felt like it benefited me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The El Paso Promise Program includes an eight-week, hands-on training component focused on warehouse logistics skills. <\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: <\/a>El Paso jail diversion program expands, as taxpayers question funding<\/a><\/p>\n Eller received several certificates through the program, including, as he described it, \u201cThere’s a forklift one. There’s food handlers,\u201d adding, \u201cBut there’s like literally a plethora. Like it definitely, I felt like it was a benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n Eller is now working toward his GED and a degree in surgical technology at El Paso Community College.<\/p>\n Eller said a traditional high school setting did not work for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just like, this isn’t for me,\u201d Eller said. \u201cIt’s not working.\u201d <\/p>\n Eller also said, \u201cYou know how it is, people like to spread rumors and gossip.\u201d<\/p>\n Eller’s future was nearly derailed after an incident during his freshman year, when he brought a toy BB gun to school that was mistaken for a real weapon.<\/p>\n Emily Schmalz reports on Daniel Eller becoming the first and youngest graduate of the El Paso Promise reentry program<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I was like, wait, I’m the one that’s in trouble. I just didn’t fully comprehend it at the time, you know?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Eller said he did not hesitate when the program\u2019s community resource coordinator, Dominique Olivares, called with the opportunity. <\/p>\n Olivares said Eller stood out during the program.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd throughout that program, he was kind of outshining his peers, you know,\u201d Olivares said. \u201cAnd once he saw how successful he was in that program, I feel like it reignited his spark as a student.\u201d<\/p>\n The program is expanding into phase two and now includes people over 28.<\/p>\n