Success Story - Success Stories

Introduction:

Fatima Roufi, a 21-year-old participant in the Healthcare Pathways program, has transformed her life through the support of JTED funding and the Youth Job Center (YJC). Originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, Fatima's journey is a testament to her resilience, determination, and the power of community support.

Background:

Fatima grew up in Kabul, advocating for women's rights through journalism despite the risks involved. Moving to the United States presented new challenges: adapting to a different culture, overcoming language barriers, and navigating the job market.

Overcoming Challenges:

Before joining YJC, Fatima faced difficulties aligning her employment with her career goals. Her previous experience was limited to housekeeping, and she encountered challenges adapting to new technologies and advocating for herself. However, her determination to succeed and support her family remained unwavering.

Support from YJC and JTED Funding: Fatima's involvement with YJC marked a turning point. The center provided comprehensive support:

Career Advising: Guiding her to set realistic career goals and stay focused on her aspirations.
Tutoring and Technology Training: Equipping her with essential skills in computer literacy and software proficiency.
Resume and Interview Preparation: Enhancing her ability to present herself to potential employers confidently.
Financial Assistance: Covering tuition for her healthcare training program and providing logistical support such as gas cards for attending classes.
Paid Work Experience (PWE): Offering practical experience at Walgreens as a Pharmacy Technician.

Personal Growth:

Through YJC, Fatima rediscovered her strengths, developed technological proficiency, improved her English communication skills, and gained confidence in advocating for herself. Her career coach provided essential guidance:

"There are not many honest people in the world; my career coach has been so honest with me and kind to work with," Fatima reflects. "She has helped me with any problem I’ve encountered. She has helped advocate for me and prepared me for employment. Now I feel confident about using the skills I learned and know how to do so much more since she made time to help me with basic things or connected me with outside sources to help with my technology issue."

Her coach's understanding of her background and culture was invaluable:

"My career coach helped me find my confidence again," Fatima continues. "She was able to remind me of all my skills or encouraged me to try new things. When things didn’t go as planned, she was always there to advise and pick me up until I could accomplish my goal. Another important thing for me is that she understands my background and my culture, which helped so much because I didn’t have to explain why I have to do things differently and my position in my family."

Achievements and Future Goals:

Securing employment as a Pharmacy Technician has significantly improved Fatima's life, easing financial burdens and allowing her to pursue her passion in healthcare. Looking forward, Fatima aims to obtain a bachelor's degree and advance further in her career, ensuring stability and success for her family.

Advice to Others:

Fatima encourages fellow youth to engage proactively with career advisors, emphasizing the importance of utilizing available resources and support systems to achieve their goals.

Conclusion:

Fatima Roufi's inspiring journey from Kabul to success in the United States underscores how determination and comprehensive support from programs like JTED and organizations like YJC can transform challenges into opportunities. Her story is a beacon of hope for those facing similar obstacles, highlighting the transformative impact of perseverance and community support.