JOBS Program Success Story: The Transformation of Gerard Brown
by Lindsay Codispoti, JOBS Career Coach, Continuing & Professional Studies

Growing up in Long Branch, Gerard describes his childhood as loving yet emotionally challenging. Despite the closeness of his family, he struggled to understand himself, navigate school, and build confidence. Schools at the time lacked the training and resources to support students with behavioral or emotional needs, and as he reflects, “kids who were different were often misunderstood.”

His inability to connect with the traditional school environment led to conflicts with authority and, ultimately, expulsion. With limited support and few alternatives, he was left to find his own way to complete his education. He remembers those early years as a system focused more on punishment than guidance.

Everything changed when he transferred to a vocational school. For the first time, Gerard received consistent encouragement, structure, and direction. With the right support in place, he excelled, earning certifications in home health aide work and medical-related courses, and was recognized as a positive student and role model.

As he entered adulthood, Gerard built a successful career in behavioral health, dedicating more than 23 years to serving others. Yet life outside of work grew increasingly difficult. Becoming a father at a young age brought joy, but also significant financial stress. Challenges with child support and wage garnishment pulled him deeper into the justice system. Standing before judges, he often felt diminished and “less than,” carrying that shame for years while still striving to provide for his family and create stability.

His struggles weren’t only financial. Gerard battled anger, strained relationships, and emotional barriers shaped by years of adversity. Though he continued working and caring for his children, the pressure pushed him toward unhealthy choices. He became involved in drugs, both using and selling, and the consequences led to time in county jail. “I didn’t have support from family or the system,” he recalls. “It felt like everything was against me.”

Determined to reclaim his life, Gerard made the decision to enter rehab. During that time, NJ Reentry connected him with training opportunities and reminded him that a meaningful career was still possible. After completing rehab, he submitted more than 100 job applications. Despite his dedication and extensive experience, many employers rejected him because of his background. In one especially painful instance, a hospital offered him a behavioral health role, only to rescind the offer after his background check. The cycle was heartbreaking.

Then Gerard found the JOBS Program.

He enrolled in the Peer Recovery Specialist training, unsure of where it would lead but committed to rebuilding his life. During the program, he learned about Collaborative Support Services of NJ, an organization that values lived experience and believes that strength can come from adversity. He applied, was hired as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist on a mobile response team, and quickly began to thrive.

Within eight months, Gerard excelled in his role, received consistently positive feedback, and earned a promotion. Today, he is stepping confidently into his new position, gainfully employed, continuing his education, and actively rebuilding every area of his life.

Gerard credits his love of learning to his mother, who raised him alone and instilled in him the belief that knowledge opens doors. She taught him to read, explore, and stay curious. He often tells others, “If I wanted to be at a higher level, I knew I had to learn more.”

What Gerard lacked as a child, but found in the JOBS Program, was unwavering support.

“The JOBS Program gave me hope,” he shares. “They helped me cross the bridge to emotional healing. Knowing that someone believes in you, follows up, and refuses to let you give up, that changed my life. It’s the most support I’ve ever received.”

His message to others entering the JOBS Program is powerful:

“Give this a chance. You may have been in programs before that felt like dead ends, but don’t let that hold you back. Let people in who genuinely want to help. Stay focused. Don’t give up hope. Take the steps, even when they’re hard. If you allow the right support into your life, you can finally close the gaps that other programs never addressed.”

Today, Gerard stands as a living example of what persistence, support, and belief can make possible. He is employed, advancing in his career, reconnecting with his family, and building a future that once felt out of reach.

And his motivation now is clear and deeply rooted:

“I want to change my life and be a motivation to my kids.”