Almost Two Decades After Climb,
Diane’s Career Keeps Paying Off

“If there’s one thing that I’m most proud of teaching my four sons, it’s to work hard,” says Diane, who graduated from Climb’s Commercial Driving training in the Sweetwater Area almost 20 years ago. “If you stick with things even when they’re hard, the payoff is great.”

In Her Voice: Diane talks about how far she’s come since graduating from Climb almost 20 years ago.

 

Diane knows all about hard work: As a truck driver for Lewis & Lewis, Inc., she often puts in 12- to 15-hour days. On a recent job in downtown Rock Springs, Diane worked 40 hours in three days to get a project finished on time.

Since earning her Commercial Driver’s License with Climb in 2009, Diane has driven all kinds of equipment, often hauling “doubles” that weigh up to 117,000 pounds fully loaded.

“You do your job, you pay attention, and you don’t cut corners,” says Diane of her perseverance. “I’ve driven any truck you can think of just so I could learn and get better.”

Diane was still getting on her feet when she came to Climb. She was on probation and recovering from a drug addiction.

“My self-worth was so low before Climb,” says Diane. “Now it’s through the roof because I know I’m good
at what I do.”

Diane is really proud that her youngest son has never known her as anything but a truck driver with a high-paying career. She owns a four-bedroom house. Two of her sons now operate trucks and have worked alongside their mom on construction projects.

“Without Climb, I wouldn’t have known the first steps to take,” says Diane. “Climb took a chance on me when no one else would, and I’m forever grateful for that.”

“Without Climb, I wouldn’t have known the first steps to take.Climb took a chance on me when no one else would, and I’m forever grateful for that.”

Homeownership for Climb graduates 10 years post-program quadruples, positively impacting families by building financial equity, providing stability, and fostering a stronger sense of community