<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>The Journey Behind American Personnel Employment</title>
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@300;400;500;600;700&family=Playfair+Display:wght@700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
<style>
/* Variables */
:root {
--primary-color: #333;
--secondary-color: #f7b731;
--accent-color: #f28b00; /* A slightly darker orange for contrast */
--background-color: #f9f9f9;
--card-background: #fff;
--text-color: #555;
--text-light: #777;
--border-radius: 8px;
--shadow-light: 0 4px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
--shadow-medium: 0 8px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
--transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
/* Base Styles */
body {
font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
background-color: var(--background-color);
color: var(--text-color);
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
-moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
}
.container {
max-width: 1200px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 1rem;
}
/* Typography */
h1, h2 {
font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
color: var(--primary-color);
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
line-height: 1.2;
}
h1 {
font-size: 2rem;
margin-top: 2rem;
}
h2 {
font-size: 1.75rem;
}
/* Header */
.header {
padding: 2rem 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
/* Story Content */
.story-content {
background-color: var(--card-background);
padding: 1.5rem;
border-radius: var(--border-radius);
box-shadow: var(--shadow-light);
margin-bottom: 3rem;
}
.story-section {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
padding: 1.5rem;
border-radius: var(--border-radius);
background-color: #fefefe;
box-shadow: var(--shadow-light);
transition: var(--transition);
}
.story-section:hover {
box-shadow: var(--shadow-medium);
transform: translateY(-2px);
}
.image-container {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
border-radius: var(--border-radius);
overflow: hidden;
box-shadow: var(--shadow-light);
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.image-container img {
width: 100%;
height: auto;
display: block;
border-radius: var(--border-radius);
transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
}
.image-container img:hover {
transform: scale(1.02);
box-shadow: var(--shadow-medium);
}
.image-container figcaption {
margin-top: 0.75rem;
font-size: 0.875rem;
color: var(--text-light);
font-style: italic;
font-weight: 300;
}
/* Text Styling */
p {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
font-size: 1rem;
line-height: 1.8;
color: var(--text-color);
}
/* Modal Styling */
.modal {
display: none;
position: fixed;
z-index: 1000;
left: 0;
top: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
backdrop-filter: blur(5px);
animation: fadeIn 0.3s ease;
}
@keyframes fadeIn {
from { opacity: 0; }
to { opacity: 1; }
}
.modal-content {
position: relative;
top: 50%;
left: 50%;
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
background: var(--card-background);
padding: 2rem;
text-align: center;
border-radius: var(--border-radius);
width: 90%;
max-width: 400px;
box-shadow: var(--shadow-medium);
animation: slideIn 0.3s ease;
}
@keyframes slideIn {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: translate(-50%, -60%);
}
to {
opacity: 1;
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
}
}
.modal h2 {
color: var(--primary-color);
margin-bottom: 1rem;
font-size: 1.5rem;
}
.modal p {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
color: var(--text-light);
}
/* Button Styling */
#read-aloud {
background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--secondary-color) 0%, var(--accent-color) 100%);
color: var(--primary-color); /* Changed to primary color for better contrast with the gradient */
border: none;
border-radius: var(--border-radius);
padding: 1rem 2rem;
font-size: 1.1rem;
font-weight: 600;
cursor: pointer;
transition: var(--transition);
box-shadow: var(--shadow-light);
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}
#read-aloud:hover {
transform: translateY(-2px);
box-shadow: var(--shadow-medium);
background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--accent-color) 0%, #d4940a 100%);
}
#read-aloud:active {
transform: translateY(0);
}
/* Floating Action Button for Audio */
.fab {
position: fixed;
bottom: 2rem;
right: 2rem;
width: 60px;
height: 60px;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--secondary-color) 0%, var(--accent-color) 100%);
border: none;
border-radius: 50%;
box-shadow: var(--shadow-medium);
cursor: pointer;
z-index: 100;
transition: var(--transition);
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
font-size: 1.5rem;
color: var(--primary-color); /* Changed to primary color for better contrast with the gradient */
}
.fab:hover {
transform: scale(1.1);
box-shadow: 0 6px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
}
/* Progress Bar */
.progress-bar {
position: fixed;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 0%;
height: 4px;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--secondary-color) 0%, var(--accent-color) 100%);
z-index: 1000;
transition: width 0.3s ease;
}
/* Tablet Styles */
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.container {
padding: 2rem;
}
h1 {
font-size: 2.5rem;
}
h2 {
font-size: 2rem;
}
.story-content {
max-width: 800px;
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
}
.story-section {
padding: 2rem;
flex-direction: row; /* Horizontal layout for tablet+ */
align-items: flex-start;
gap: 2rem;
}
.story-section.image-right {
flex-direction: row-reverse; /* Image on right */
}
.story-section .image-container {
flex: 0 0 300px; /* Fixed width for image container */
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.story-section .text-content {
flex: 1; /* Text content takes remaining space */
}
p {
font-size: 1.1rem;
}
}
/* Desktop Styles */
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.container {
padding: 3rem;
}
.story-content {
max-width: 1000px;
}
.story-section .image-container {
flex: 0 0 400px;
}
.story-section {
padding: 3rem;
}
h1 {
font-size: 3rem;
}
h2 {
font-size: 2.25rem;
}
}
/* Accessibility */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
* {
animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
}
}
/* Print Styles */
@media print {
.modal, .fab, .progress-bar {
display: none !important;
}
.story-section {
break-inside: avoid;
box-shadow: none;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="progress-bar"></div>
<div id="modal" class="modal">
<div class="modal-content">
<h2>š§ Want to hear the story?</h2>
<p>Click play to listen to Joshua's inspiring journey read out loud.</p>
<button id="read-aloud">ā¶ļø Play Story</button>
</div>
</div>
<button class="fab" title="Toggle Audio">šµ</button>
<div class="container">
<header class="header">
<h1>The Journey Behind American Personnel Employment</h1>
<p style="font-size: 1.1rem; opacity: 0.9; margin: 0;">A Story of Loss, Desperation, and Redemption</p>
</header>
<div class="story-content" id="story">
<div class="story-section image-left">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/Vhzl8mr.jpg" alt="Joshua experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, Arizona" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Me experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, Arizona, 2016</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>In the unforgiving heat of Phoenix, Arizona, 2016 nearly broke me. Life stripped me of everything I knew and loved, leaving me with the crushing weight of despair. I had faced challenges before, but nothing like this. That year was a storm of loss and struggle that brought me to my knees, forever changing my life's course.</p>
<p>It started with a phone call that shattered my world. My mom, my rock, was goneātaken suddenly by a massive heart attack. The grief was unbearable, but I had to keep moving. Just a few months later, Michelle, the woman I had loved for 13 years, left me. The home we shared was gone, and I moved in with a friend, barely holding myself together.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-right">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/TDhnjCT.jpg" alt="Joshua during his time working at CenturyLink" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Me during my time working at CenturyLink</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>Losing Michelle was not just the end of a relationship; it meant losing the family we had created together. Her niece and nephew had become my own, and when she left, I lost them too. It felt like a piece of my heart had been ripped away. Then came the final blow: our dog, Humphrey, who had been my constant companion, passed away. When he died, it felt like the universe was telling me I had nothing left.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-left">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/3pbzZd8.jpg" alt="Joshua and Michelle during better times" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Joshua and Michelle during better times</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>I was barely hanging on, working at CenturyLink to maintain some semblance of normalcy. But soon, that lifeline was taken too. I lost my job and, with it, my last shred of hope. Desperate, I tried gig work with DoorDash, but I was driving with an impounded car, my only means to earn a living. Without my vehicle, I couldn't make deliveries, and I couldn't pay rent. My support system was gone, and soon, so was my home.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-right">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/eO3w7xW.jpg" alt="Remy, Joshua's favorite nephew" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Remy, my favorite nephew</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>Being homeless is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. The streets of Phoenix were mercilessāblistering heat during the day, cold at night, and nowhere to go. People treated me differently, as if I was invisible, or worse, something to avoid. When you're homeless, people judge you without knowing your story. They assume you're lazy or irresponsible, but in reality, most people are one bad situation away from losing everything. I had always thought that with hard work, I could overcome anything, but homelessness isn't something you can just work your way out of.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-left">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zZGcoxS.jpg" alt="Victoria, who Joshua misses very much" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Victoria, I miss her very much</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>The simplest tasksāthings that are easy for someone with a stable lifeābecome monumental challenges when you're homeless. For most people, getting ready for a job interview means waking up, taking a shower, ironing clothes, and showing up on time. But when you're homeless, just finding a place to shower can be a mission. I would walk miles trying to find a shelter or gym that allowed me to clean up, only to be turned away because there were too many people in line ahead of me. I didn't have clean clothes, and trying to look presentable felt impossible.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-right">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/iF8dNyg.jpg" alt="Victoria and Remy together" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Victoria and Remy</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>Even keeping track of time was difficult without a phone or regular access to a clock. How could I apply for jobs when I didn't even have a permanent address or phone number to put on the application? Every small barrierālike finding transportation, filling out an online application without a computer, or printing out a resumeābecame insurmountable obstacles.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-left">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/qv8FHLk.jpg" alt="Joshua and his mother, a cherished memory" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Joshua and his mother, a cherished memory</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>The experience of being homeless changed me. I saw firsthand how easily one can fall through the cracks and how hard it is to climb back out. It wasn't just about finding a job; it was about finding hope and reclaiming my dignity. I realized that people who are struggling don't need judgment; they need someone to believe in them and lend a hand when the world has turned its back.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section image-right">
<figure class="image-container">
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/JG58E33.jpg" alt="Humphrey, Joshua's beloved dog" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Humphrey, my beloved dog</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="text-content">
<p>That's why I committed myself to the cause of American Personnel Employment. This isn't just a company; it's a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those knocked down by life get back on their feet. We're not just about finding jobs; we're about restoring dignity and believing in people when they've stopped believing in themselves.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-section" style="text-align: center; border-left: 4px solid var(--primary-color);">
<h2>š The Mission Continues</h2>
<p style="font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 500; color: var(--primary-color);">
American Personnel Employment exists because everyone deserves a second chance.
We believe that with the right support, anyone can rebuild their life and find their path to success.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 2rem;">
If you or someone you know is struggling to find employment, remember you're not alone. We're here to help.
Reach out to us to learn more about how American Personnel Employment can assist in your journey.
</p>
<a href="#" style="background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--accent-color) 0%, #d4940a 100%); color: white; padding: 1rem 2rem; border-radius: var(--border-radius); text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600; transition: var(--transition); box-shadow: var(--shadow-light);">
Contact Us Today
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<script>
// Progress bar functionality
function updateProgressBar() {
const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop;
const docHeight = document.documentElement.scrollHeight - document.documentElement.clientHeight;
const scrollPercent = (scrollTop / docHeight) * 100;
document.querySelector('.progress-bar').style.width = scrollPercent + '%';
}
// Speech Synthesis Utterance for readability
let storyUtterance = null;
function readStoryAloud() {
const storyText = document.getElementById('story').innerText;
if ('speechSynthesis' in window) {
if (storyUtterance && speechSynthesis.speaking) {
speechSynthesis.cancel(); // Stop current speech if any
}
storyUtterance = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance(storyText);
storyUtterance.rate = 0.9;
storyUtterance.pitch = 1;
storyUtterance.lang = 'en-US';
storyUtterance.onend = () => {
console.log('Speech finished');
// You might want to update the FAB icon or state here
};
storyUtterance.onerror = (event) => {
console.error('Speech synthesis error:', event.error);
};
speechSynthesis.speak(storyUtterance);
document.getElementById("modal").style.display = "none";
} else {
alert("Sorry, your browser doesn't support the Web Speech API for text-to-speech.");
}
}
function toggleAudio() {
if ('speechSynthesis' in window) {
if (speechSynthesis.speaking) {
speechSynthesis.pause();
console.log('Speech paused');
// Potentially change FAB icon to 'play'
} else if (speechSynthesis.paused) {
speechSynthesis.resume();
console.log('Speech resumed');
// Potentially change FAB icon to 'pause'
} else {
readStoryAloud();
}
} else {
alert("Sorry, your browser doesn't support the Web Speech API for text-to-speech.");
}
}
// Event Listeners
window.addEventListener('scroll', updateProgressBar);
window.addEventListener('load', function() {
// Show the modal when the page loads
document.getElementById("modal").style.display = "block";
});
document.getElementById("read-aloud").addEventListener('click', readStoryAloud);
document.querySelector(".fab").addEventListener('click', toggleAudio);
// Close modal when clicking outside
window.onclick = function(event) {
const modal = document.getElementById("modal");
if (event.target == modal) {
modal.style.display = "none";
}
};
</script>
</body>
</html>