Khalil Shields started his journey with the SOAR program at Philadelphia OIC in November of 2019. Khalil is a funny & light-hearted person. When he came to the program he was on house arrest but still took the initiative to use that time constructively and advance his goals. Khalil enrolled in training for construction with the Energy Coordinating Agency. Khalil’s positive attitude and sense of humor served him well and helped him overcome any challenges he faced. Khalil completed his training with the Energy Coordinating Agency on February 14th, 2020, and earned his OSHA 10 and other certificates.
Unfortunately, Khalil was unable to attend testing for additional certifications through the Energy Coordinating Agency. However, Khalil remained determined and immediately began working with the SOAR Employment Specialist, Mary Sandifer, to find additional certification and employment opportunities. On March 6th, 2020, Khalil earned his Flagger Certification and became employed with Flagger Force in a full-time position. Despite many obstacles, he continues to have a positive outlook & work toward achieving his goals. When asked, what a “second-chance” means to him, Khalil responded, “It means a new beginning!”
