ORANGE, NJ –   Once upon a time, David Ocasio, a welder, was faced with a failed corneal transplant, putting an end to his career and the subsequent loss of income. Not one to let any grass grow under his feet, the Jersey City man, short on job prospects but high on optimism, decided not to let his waning eyesight adversely affect his ability to work. 

He bounced around various jobs as a handyman, clinging to the idea that he would settle into the right opportunity.  At the same time, he began to explore his desire to write after taking a writing course at the local Community College.                                                                                    

“I use to tutor kids in Jersey City, and got involved in counseling,” the eclectic tradesman explained. “I would tell stories as a way to entertain them.”

David took his storytelling to the next level when he penned “The Magical Reindeer,” a fantasy Christmas story, and collaborated with a local artist to produce the book.  That led to his next project, “Illusion of Beauty,” a story written for teenagers to encourage them to seek the guidance of adults in their lives. Both books were published by independent publishers, which placed the books on the market but which left little money for David to support himself.  Friends told him that if he could acquire training and receive his black seal boiler license, he would be able to utilize his handyman skills and oversee building maintenance. That was when he found The First Occupational Center of New Jersey (OCNJ).

David, 50, knew immediately that he was referred to the right place. OCNJ, a non-profit agency which specializes in training and placing underemployed residents back into the workforce, quickly assessed his skills and he enrolled in the black seal boiler training program, which includes three months of honing building trades skills.  Graduates of the program, which is located in Elizabeth, NJ, go on to become facilities supervisors of schools and city buildings.

“OCNJ was a big help to me, I learned skills I didn’t have before, like how to install wiring by code,” David said. “The instructors are wonderful, they really taught me a lot.”

In February, David received his certificate in building trades and is now completing an externship program at The Montclair Public Schools. Once he receives his black seal boiler operator license, experts say his job prospects are excellent. His books are being sold online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.  And he is hoping to interest local book stores and other publishers in his work, and live “happily ever after.”

The First Occupational Center of New Jersey has been providing services to developmentally and physically challenged, elderly and economically disadvantaged and underemployed New Jersey residents and their families since 1954. The Center provides training in various fields and jobs through its seven wholly-owned and operated companies, including Recycling,  Production Services (Packaging/Assembly and Printing),  Building Services and Groundskeeping,  Scanning and Micrographics,  Abbry Security, and the OCNJ Driving School, as well as within the community.