Through the years Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow has played an important role in the lives of young adults, helping many of them to achieve their goals. But with our years of service, we have learned that there is always a student with a story that touches our hearts and provides us with the strength and commitment to continue to serve our community.

One of these successful stories is that of Richard Gomez. He is now a successful, dedicated and committed person who is an example of what you can achieve in life if only you set your mind to it. Richard completed OBT’s youth job training program back in February 2002. OBT’s Corporate Recruiters placed him at a part-time job as a teller for Bank of New York in Manhattan. Since he began working in April 2002, he has been promoted four times in four years and now is looking forward to becoming a Business Account Manager.

“Patience . . . that I learned while in training at OBT and it has been the most valuable lesson that I practice every day. You have to have patience to work with different types of people”, says Richard.

When Richard came to OBT to be a part of the cycle offered at the Bushwick site back in 2001, he was only 19 years old. His only purpose was to get his GED, but he “received much more than that.” It was the rigorous business skill training that he remembers the most.

“I had some difficulty getting use to the dress code and the commute,” says Richard. “At that time I was living practically by myself. It wasn’t easy.”

He passed the GED test with one of the highest scores that cycle.

As Richard prepares to start his new role at Bank of New York, he is reminded of the positive impact OBT has had on his life. He also gives back by regularly attending the OBT “Stay at Work” monthly networking and retention sessions, telling his story and encouraging other graduates to “be patient.”

Richard’s story is an example of the many successes OBT has recorded during its 23-year history serving the communities of Brooklyn. We look forward to many more successes over the years to come!