MY FIRST JOB!
Can’t begin to tell you how great a feeling it was going to work for real for the first time in my life. I’m now working for The Manhattan Legal Aid Society doing data entry, telephone answering and a lot of other jobs. I will also be mentoring young people. The first thing I had to do was go to the Human Resources Center for my legal aid identification card. Afterwards, I went to the headquarters of SEIU 1199 for orientation. You may or may not know that it is one of the strongest unions in the country. I had to fill out of a lot of paperwork, most to do with taxes and health insurance coverage and other benefits. They also talked to us about options in terms of transit checks and direct deposit of checks into our account.
Most of what they talked about will take place after the probation period of six months. They said that the paperwork generally takes months to complete. Even though there is no specific dress code, a member of the Human Resources Center did indicate that there was some form of one. In other words, I can’t dress too casually. At SEIU 1199, they explained the importance of a union and the influence they have on negotiations with the Legal Aid Society.
All that took about three hours traveling to lower Manhattan and then to midtown where the union headquarters is located. The people at my job have been extremely welcoming and I’m still learning a lot. They have been very accommodating.
I got the first pay check of my life on Friday, May 29th, 2015. It was a very emotional experience after all the years of working for next to nothing in a prison. I feel that I am living a normal life and making a contribution to society. No matter how much money I get in an eventual settlement, I will still go to work every day. Not a day goes by where I don’t feel fortunate that things have worked out so well.
If you want to reply to me click on the blue title.
David,
I have followed your story since first watching David & Me a few months ago. Your strength and kindness of spirit reveals that you’re a special and evolved human being, despite the injustice that you’ve experienced. I hope that your new position with Legal Aid brings you the sense of achievement you deserve. You obviously have a unique perspective that you’ll be able to bring to your new position, and I’m sure that many will benefit from it.
Congratulations and keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Michael S. Purcell
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Congratulations David! What an exciting time it must be for you. I hope that you enjoy your new job! Looking forward to hearing more about it.
David and Valerie. I just watched the “David and Me” documentary and I was so moved. You are worthy of all good things, you, Ray, Ken, the P.I as well as your Atty and all those involved in your case. And I want to wish you and Valerie a very long, happy and healthy life together. God Bless David. And, I’m sure if I ever see you on the street… I’ll interrupt you, start crying and ask to give you hug. I do hope this messege finds you and your family well. Be fruitful and multiply.
Dear David,
I am a friend of Ken and Mary Ellen’s and met you when you were in Toronto for the showing of the movie. I am so pleased that you are writing the blog and that you are working for the Manhattan Legal Aid Society. I hope it is working out well for you. All best wishes and good luck.
And by the way, I have had a facebook account for a few years but have never really found any use for it until right now!
Hi Maureen,
Nice to see you’re reading his blog. For us, David is a gift that keeps on giving. I think he makes people feel that there is goodness in the world.
With love,
Ken
David, congratulations! Can’t wait to talk to you about your re-entry experiences in September. I’m currently an ACLU of WA intern focusing on such things, so I’m especially interested to learn from you.
I watched David and Me on a flight back home from a business trip last night and your story has inspired me to the nth degree. Your positivity and genuine nature during the entire process were shockingly refreshing and should be applauded. Best of luck to you and your family in thus new chapter of your life. PS I’m wondering if there will be any events with you coming to Toronto? Matt
There are no words to express how humbled I am to have witnessed your story in David and Me and now following your blog. Thank you for being the man you are and for not only carrying but sharing your experiences. Know that your struggles were not in vain as you have helped so many from so many walks of life. I think it is no coincidence that your name is David as you have triumphed over so many “Goliaths.” May God keep you and bless you as well as your family.
David,
I sure did enjoy the documentary and enjoyed hearing about your story. There’s no way for me to understand your struggle, but your positive attitude is what I took away from the story. Your testimony is powerful. Tell it to everyone you meet, and God will bless you. I’d sure like to see you speak and meet you if you are ever back in Texas. Maybe we can arrange a speaking engagement in my neck of the woods.
Sincerely,
Garth LaGrone
Carthage, Tx
After watching your documentary, I still have tears of joy for you. Looking you up right after (now) just to see how life has treated you… I see the desire to be a father has come true! While watching I realized I was learning from you…about hope,faith, and perserverence. To watch someone who has been in prison for 29 yrs talk so soft with words of love and encouragement of others blew me away. I just wanted to thank you for that. You’re an inspiring man.