Navigating Towards a Brighter Future

Edson was still determining his future when he left his home in Haiti to start a new life in Miami. Considering a security guard job and moving in with his extended family, Edson embarked on a new chapter of his life when he learned about UpSkill Miami and its partnership with The CDL School.  

UpSkill Miami is United Way Miami’s transformative fund designed to create targeted workforce development initiatives and catalyze economic mobility within the community. During the launch of the first phase, United Way partnered with local corporations to provide access to training and employment opportunities in the health and transportation industries. Recently, UpSkill Miami expanded into construction trades and energy training.   

Graduating from The CDL School with a Class A license in September, Edson is now employed as a cross-country truck driver navigating the highways in an 18-wheeler truck that crisscrosses to states like Ohio, Illinois and Texas. Edson is now expecting to earn nearly $1,500 a week.

“Learning how to drive a truck at The CDL School was a great experience,” Edson said. “It was challenging to learn how to drive a truck but graduating and earning my license felt very rewarding. Everything that I have right now is because of United Way Miami.”  

Edson remains grateful for the opportunities unfolding before him. His journey is not just about driving trucks but navigating towards a brighter future—one mile at a time.  

To learn more about UpSkill Miami, visit unitedwaymiami.org/upskillmiami.