A radio profile of the nonprofit through the stories of three ex-offenders who took part in VOC's Center for Automotive Careers. The program trains unemployed and underemployed adults for jobs in automotive services. Our guests: Alfred Johnson, Edward Ray, and Tavon Williams.
Vehicles for Change
Published May 29, 2014 at 11:37 AM EDT
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Alfred Johnson spent 27 years in prison for second-degree homicide. He was only 17-years-old at the time of his arrest. Now, at the age of 45, he's a working mechanic for Vehicles for Change.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Alfred Johnson spent 27 years in prison for second-degree homicide. He was only 17-years-old at the time of his arrest. Now, at the age of 45, he's a working mechanic for Vehicles for Change.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
![](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/845e69e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/355x219+0+127/resize/880x542!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fsites%2Fwyprmain%2Ffiles%2F201405%2Falfred_preincarceration.jpg)
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Johnson got caught up in the drug trade as a teenager.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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4 of 18
Johnson got caught up in the drug trade as a teenager.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Johnson plans to enroll at CCBC to further his career. One day, he hopes to work as a service writer, the person who is responsible for ordering parts at an automotive shop.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Johnson plans to enroll at CCBC to further his career. One day, he hopes to work as a service writer, the person who is responsible for ordering parts at an automotive shop.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
![](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6c053be/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2592x1596+0+170/resize/880x542!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fsites%2Fwyprmain%2Ffiles%2F201405%2Fedward_detailing_%282%29.jpg)
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Edward Ray is the second individual to graduate from the Center for Automotive Careers, find full-time employment as a detailer, and then receive a car from Vehicles for Change.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Edward Ray is the second individual to graduate from the Center for Automotive Careers, find full-time employment as a detailer, and then receive a car from Vehicles for Change.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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9 of 18
After finding full-time work as a detailer at Diamond Detailer, Edward Ray (second from left) was eligible to receive a car through the Vehicles for Change program. He paid $750 for the vehicle. The car makes it easier for Ray to travel to work.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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After finding full-time work as a detailer at Diamond Detailer, Edward Ray (second from left) was eligible to receive a car through the Vehicles for Change program. He paid $750 for the vehicle. The car makes it easier for Ray to travel to work.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
11 of 18
Tavon Williams, 31, with his wife. Williams, a former alcoholic, got locked up for the first time when he was 19.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Tavon Williams, 31, with his wife. Williams, a former alcoholic, got locked up for the first time when he was 19.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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13 of 18
Williams is in the process of starting his own car detailing business.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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14 of 18
Williams is in the process of starting his own car detailing business.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
![](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9961db8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4928x3035+0+114/resize/880x542!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fsites%2Fwyprmain%2Ffiles%2F201405%2Fshop_%282%29.jpg)
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Vehicles for Change has an eight-bay repair shop in its headquarters on Washington Boulevard; the organization performs 95 percent of its vehicle repairs in-house.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Vehicles for Change has an eight-bay repair shop in its headquarters on Washington Boulevard; the organization performs 95 percent of its vehicle repairs in-house.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
![](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b56c5d4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4928x3035+0+114/resize/880x542!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fsites%2Fwyprmain%2Ffiles%2F201405%2FVFCStaff.jpg)
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Vehicles for Change staffers with a group of car recipients, all of whom received cars during th The Vehicles for Change staff at their shop on Washington Boulevard in Baltimore.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change
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Vehicles for Change staffers with a group of car recipients, all of whom received cars during th The Vehicles for Change staff at their shop on Washington Boulevard in Baltimore.
Courtesy of Vehicles for Change