From Seasonal Agriculture Work to the Driver's Seat: One Father's 400-Mile Journey to Stability
After 12 years of seasonal farm labor, Manuel Jacobo Davila overcame emergency surgery, countless rejections, and a grueling commute to earn his Class A CDL and secure a $22-an-hour position with support from our Farmworker Advancement Program every step of the way.
This month's story highlights the resilience of one of our Farmworker Advancement Program participants and the power of your work in action.
Manuel Jacobo Davila, a husband and father of eight, spent more than 12 years as a seasonal farmworker. Like so many families we serve, his household depended entirely on farm labor income, and seasonal unemployment created relentless financial stress. With only a 9th-grade education from Mexico and speaking only Spanish, Manuel walked into our Visalia Service Center after receiving one of our flyers—hoping for a better path forward.
He set his sights on truck driving. On February 24, 2025, Manuel enrolled in Apache Trucking Training Service. Just 15 days later, on March 11, he passed his permit exam. But life threw him a curveball, an emergency surgery forced him to pause his training. With determination and our support, he returned by April 9, ready to finish what he started.
His commitment was extraordinary. Manuel traveled over 400 miles each week to complete his training, while his family relied on gas vouchers and mortgage assistance from Proteus to keep their household afloat. On May 15, he proudly earned his Class A CDL license.
Then came the hardest part, the job search. Applications went unanswered. Unemployment benefits ran out. But Manuel pushed forward with job coaching and interview preparation. Finally, in July, Clean Energy Advantage offered him a full-time CDL driver position at $22 an hour. He started on July 24, 2025, transforming not only his own future but his entire family's stability.
Manuel expressed deep gratitude for the support he received at every step—from training and surgery recovery to job placement. His story is a testament to the difference you make every day: providing the tools, training, and hope that change lives.
Thank you for your continued dedication. Together, we're driving transformation across the Valley.
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