Even though Jeffrey Griddine, 46, hit a breaking point and hit rock bottom, he did not let his frustration and disappointment ruin his life. Today, Jeffrey has a furnished place to live, he has a stable job and he earned his chef’s certification so he can continue to build his career.
Jeffrey was born in Flint, MI, and developed a passion for cooking as a teen. But, his career took a nose dive when the auto industry crashed in the 1990’s and the community’s economy tanked. Hoping that a move to Houston would open doors, he was forced to regroup less than a year later when he lost everything he owned in Tropical Storm Allison. As if once was not enough, Hurricane Ike devastated the SRO he was living in and his hopes for recovery.
After 250 days of jail time and practically giving up, he found SEARCH.
His SEARCH Case Manager, Mary Cortez, described him as feeling frustrated and down on his luck. “He’s a different man today,” she said, “always willing to share support and guidance with other clients.” His reliable, optimistic style helps others see that they, too, can transform their lives.
While he was looking for work with the help of SEARCH Employment Services, he became a reliable and dedicated volunteer in our own kitchen. “Working in the SEARCH kitchen allowed me to keep on top of my culinary skills,” Jeffrey says.
Jeffrey obtained a Housing Choice Voucher in September of 2012. He works at Reliant Stadium and has met some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry while cooking for them during this year’s Houston Rodeo.
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