LOS ANGELES – Angelic Ellis is a carpenter's apprentice.

Soon she will have 5,200 hours of work experience. That means she will reach the next level: journey-woman.

It means more pay and more responsibility.

“To be honest, I gave everything in me to keep this job and keep myself going,” said Ellis.

On June 1 Ellis moved into an apartment. Before that she was homeless for five years.

Her life started to turn around when she found a training program called Brothers’ Keeper.

The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters helped her get into the union. It was free.

Then she got on the apprenticeship pathway with full-time employment.