When having lunch in the Financial District, Patrick expected to see MBAs and finance professionals around him, but he did not expect to be at a lunch table with Ted Lucas, a founding partner at Lattice Capital Management LLC, and Charles Schwab, the founder of the Charles Schwab Corporation.

Prior to New Door Ventures, Patrick's was a common story: a 19-year-old living alone in San Francisco with no job and no money. As Patrick puts it, "I was not ambitious and I was not trying very hard to make life work." Patrick was bouncing around various social service programs in San Francisco until he came across an occupational therapist who told him about New Door Ventures.

Patrick did not really know what to expect at New Door, "but knew that [he] needed some help." He decided to attend one of the weekly group interviews. During the informational meeting, a New Door case manager challenged everyone to consider this rare opportunity to gain real job experience through one of New Door's internship programs.

"I needed to be independent, so I had to create some income." Patrick decided to commit to the goals and high standards of New Door's Ally program.

During the three-week pre-employment training, Patrick shared how he was interested in possibly starting his own business someday. He was matched up with one of New Door's Ally partner sites, Lattice Capital Management LLC.

Patrick began interning at Lattice in mid-February and has gained a tremendous amount of experience in his first few weeks. He is responsible for checking the mail, keeping supplies stocked, prepping equipment, transcribing stock quotes, and filing documents. Moreover, Ted, Patrick's Ally partner site supervisor, has taken the time to teach Patrick much more than how to run the office. "Ted has helped me better understand stocks, investments, and the market. I see this as a vital, practical understanding of business."

During Patrick's first week on the job, he was invited to attend a lunch meeting with Ted and one of Ted's business associates. Patrick did not know what to expect, and then Charles Schwab walked in the door. The next thing he knew, Patrick was having lunch "with the guy behind the billboard." Patrick sat there listening to two highly successful businessmen talk. He says they both seemed "down to earth and were able to mix their own personalities with business."

Patrick's internship ended in May and he was given "much more of an opportunity" than he could have gotten on his own. "I'm not coming from privilege and I really appreciate the opportunity. I want to be able to support myself and see others support themselves. I want to see this world be more productive and see people gain the same self-respect that I gained when I started working with New Door." When asked if he felt that his internship at Lattice will help him realize his dreams, Patrick answered with a resounding "Yes!"

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