In the Spotlight
People Working Together

Sacramento, CA – CWDB’s Pathway to Sustainability High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) project provides pre-apprenticeship readiness training for entry into the construction trades. The project’s partners, People Working Together (PWT) and the Sacramento-Sierra’s Building and Construction Trades Council (SSBCTC), work together to ensure participants get the training they need to be successful. CWDB’s funding gives PWT the resources to address the real-time needs of participants by providing transportation, rental, and utility assistance, stipends, mentorship, counseling, and more.

Adrianna Martin
Pre-apprenticeship Construction Trades graduate, PWT

Adrianna Martin is living proof that no matter how dark the past, there’s always a path forward if you’re willing to fight for it.

At just 14, Adrianna fell into addiction, experimenting with marijuana and Ecstasy. By 17, she was using crystal meth, a battle that would consume her life for over a decade. Adriana’s world spiraled into chaos. Homeless, addicted, pregnant with her second child, and living in a tent, she found herself at the ultimate crossroads.

With nothing but a train ticket and hope, Adrianna left her hometown and landed in Sacramento. In the depths of rock bottom, that she made the life-changing decision to get clean and stay sober.

With the support of her wife and People Working Together (PWT) ’s transformative six-week program funded by CWDB’s HRCC, Adrianna found strength in structure, physical training, and a support system that refused to let her give up. “I was overweight, out of shape, and still recovering,” Adrianna recalls. “But training with Miguel during the program helped me build endurance—physically and mentally.”

Adrianna’s advice to anyone struggling: “Be patient. Don’t give up. Even if it doesn’t work out right away, just keep going. It’ll come together.”

After PWT, her journey wasn’t easy. It took nearly a year before she was hired as a a sprinkler fitter with the local union. Working with the union she remained patient, stayed prepared, and eventually found her calling.

Today, she’s four years into her apprenticeship, owns a home, pays a mortgage, and enjoys life with her wife, children, pets, and even a boat.

Watch Adrianna’s success story: https://youtu.be/4OP1DCnk1q0