Crossing the Threshold

Elson Delpe’s hard work and belief in himself transformed his life. In 2024, he paid off his debts, improved his family’s financial stability, and proposed to his fiancée. In 2025, he achieved his biggest dream—he became a homeowner, and carried his wife over the threshold into their new home. “I prayed to God for these opportunities, and God continues to bless me,” he said. 

Elson had worked in scaffolding, construction, and warehouses. He was determined to find a path that would help him grow in the trades and improve his financial stability. In 2024—a year filled with financial, physical, and spiritual challenges—Elson made a promise to himself to change his life.

When he discovered AACA’s free BEEMS program, Elson saw an opportunity he couldn’t ignore. Despite exhaustion from overnight shifts and personal stress, he showed up to class day after day, driven by his faith and determination. There were moments when quitting seemed easier, but he persevered, completing the program and gaining new skills, confidence, and direction. Within two months of graduation, Elson secured a full-time position earning $50,000—an impressive jump from his previous $37,000 salary. Within a year, he got a promotion at this company and increased his salary to $70,000.

AACA’s BEEMS ( Building Energy Efficient Maintenance Skills) training program has been providing members of our community with vital skills in the maintenance technician industry for over a decade. Today, the 20 week long program offers hands-on training in carpentry, electricity, plumbing and HVAC with job readiness support and job placement for our graduates. The program has incredible success stories of individuals who came to our program eager to improve their lives and upon completion,  have successfully carved out  careers for themselves and enriched their lives and their family’s lives. 

Elson is already planning to pursue additional trade certifications to go beyond his goal of a six-figure income.