Program Details

Bianca Somuah, a 24-year-old working mother, was drawn to the YJC program because of its extensive resources and connections. Enrolled in the healthcare program, Bianca's long-term goal is to become a NICU nurse. The YJC program is assisting her in reaching these goals by connecting her with health professionals and helping her explore various career opportunities in the healthcare field.
Bianca has benefited significantly from her financial coach, Trevor, who has guided her on saving, building credit, and managing credit card utilization. He also helped her open a savings account. Bianca learned from the workforce readiness training the importance of maintaining professional boundaries by not sharing excessive personal information with employers.
Her advice to other YJC clients is to make full use of the program and communicate openly with advisors, who are there to help. Reflecting on her experience, she wishes she had been more open with her advisor.
Bianca particularly values the lessons on credit and savings, which have improved her financial discipline. Her career coach, Sara Algawerash, has been very understanding of Bianca's busy schedule, offering patience and support as Bianca juggles her responsibilities as a mother.
Bianca currently works as both a doula and a CNA, providing essential support to mothers and families throughout childbirth. With the support of JTED funding, Bianca is one step closer to her goal of becoming a NICU nurse. This funding covered her CNA program expenses, allowing her to obtain this certification. It also facilitated a paid work experience at Walgreens, and she is now actively seeking hospital experience through job referrals to further progress toward her goal.
Throughout her training program, Bianca received consistent support, including assistance with essentials such as scrubs, uniforms, and bus passes, which ensured that logistical barriers did not hinder her progress.
Moreover, Bianca has secured additional funding through WIOA, enabling her to pursue post-secondary education in an RN program. With these opportunities on the horizon, Bianca has shown dedication and determination in pursuing her career ambitions.