Julio Perez, Program Director, Red Hook on the Road. The award was presented to him by two program graduates, Marisol Gonzalez and Daniel Francois.

Daniel Francois at the Heroes Breakfast.

Julio Perez, who has been program director of Red Hook on the Road (R.H.O.R.) for almost four years, knows first-hand that it works. His father was a graduate.

R.H.O.R. is an innovative job training program for unemployed and financially struggling New Yorkers to secure positions as drivers of trucks, buses and vans. Many of its graduates have been homeless, incarcerated or on public assistance. Their only alternatives for work would be low-paying, dead-end jobs that couldn't sustain a family. R.H.O.R. delivers much more than four-weeks of instruction. It offers assistance with child care, housing and budget concerns, as well as counseling for domestic violence and substance abuse through its umbrella organization, Fifth Avenue Committee. An Individual Development Account program enables participants to save for advanced training that can significantly boost salaries. It will match $2 to $3 for every $1 saved, depending on household income.

Marisol Gonzalez at the Heroes Breakfast.

Julio works tirelessly on behalf of R.H.O.R. participants to encourage them to complete the program and obtain lucrative employment that will support themselves and their families.

Daniel Francois was unemployed with a child when he came across R.H.O.R.'s office while walking the streets to look for work. The day after he passed his road test, Daniel landed a job with a kosher food company, earning $500 per week. With Julio's encouragement, he took advantage of the Individual Development Account program to save money to train for a Class A license. Now driving a tractor trailer on the nation's highways, Daniel has doubled his salary and is planning to buy his own truck.

At 4 foot 9, Marisol Gonzalez doesn't fit the image of a typical truck driver. A single mother of three, Marisol came to R.H.O.R. after years of living on public assistance. At times, the training was difficult but she credits Julio with helping her to complete the program successfully. Marisol passed the driving test and was offered a job with Gate Gourmet at JFK airport. Today she likes to sing while commandeering the wheel of a 26-foot truck. Marisol earns $13.20 an hour with full benefits. With her new skills and a steady job, Marisol feels that her children will have a better life.