A Navy veteran studied for and passed his electrician's licensing exam while living at the Martinsburg, W. Va., Union Mission. Robert Clemons, 52, has been in and out of homeless shelters over the past few years when he couldn't find work, particularly in the electrical field.
Herald Mail Media posted a story about Clemons last month, reporting that he studied in the Mission's computer room or quiet room for six months after signing up for an online electricican's license correspondence course.
He finished the course work and took the exam, passing in August. Now he has found a job with the Washington Metro, and he will move to Washington, D.C., to live once he has his clearance from the Metro.
According to the Herald Mail Media, Clemons credits the mission staff for the help and support he received as a resident and a student. “The mission is a beautiful thing,” he said.
Danny Custer, the mission’s personnel director, said situations like Clemons’ don’t happen often at the mission. He spoke of one resident who finished a truck-driving course at James Rumsey and found a driving job.
Clemons grew up in Washington, D.C., and said he served in the Navy between 1980 and 1984. He was trained as an aviation electronics technician and worked on F-14 fighter jets.
