JOB CORPS If the economic crisis facing today’s youth isn’t enough, add to the mix English language barriers, culture shock and academic challenges and you’ll still find some inspiring youth from foreign countries leading the way of the American Dream. For 3 young women from Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, a local career training and educational center has been their road map to brighter futures.
Esther Dol is a young woman who came to Miami Job Corps Center (MJCC) in 2009. Having arrived from her native homeland Haiti, she was eager for the opportunity to complete her education, improve her foreign language skills and learn valuable work skills. During her stay at MJCC, Dol completed her English as a Second Language(ESOL)program, earned certification in the Accounting trade, graduated with a High School Diploma and served as an ambassador for a Job Corps Commercial that aired on National television in 2009. In 2010, Dol was awarded a scholarship from Faith Medical Institute (FMI) Career School, an opportunity where she receives free tuition to pursue a nursing career and a paid internship to work as an Administrative Assistant. “This is a dream come true for me. I’m Looking forward to the challenge, “said Dol.
At a young age of 16, Rasheda WestCarr left her home in Saint Catherine-SpanishTown, Jamaica to start a new life in south Florida with her Mother and siblings. And while her new start was exciting for her, WestCarr said the FCAT became an obstacle while she was attending a local high school. “In Jamaica there is no FCAT, our school system is different in that once we complete our subjects, we graduate. I think (the FCAT) can really be a challenge here in the U.S. “ Yet despite this obstacle, WestCarr enrolled at MJCC and has already gained her High School Diploma from SIA Tech Charter School, has passed the ACT exam and has been accepted to attend Miami Dade College in the Fall. WestCarr has also been recognized for her volunteer service to projects with Miami Dade County’s District 1 Commissioner Barbara Jordan’s Office, the Miami Council on International Visitors(MCIV) and the Miami Job Corps Green Team.
Having merely a few words of spoken English to count on and a suitcase at hand, Suleyka DeJesus set off from Santo Domingo,Dominican Republic, to follow her dream of living in America. Within a short time of arriving in Miami, DeJesus was enrolled at MJCC and immediately began taking ESOL classes. When she wasn’t in ESOL, she had a translator working with her during the programs initial 3 month orientation. At MJCC, DeJesus learned English quickly and excelled in her Accounting Trade. She also gained valuable experience working with the EmpHire company for the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament held in Key Biscayne, Florida, during the spring of 2010. More recently, DeJesus completed a professional internship with 1st Caribbean Group, where she performed clerical work and assisted with tax return filing.
With such admirable qualities as courage, dedication, leadership and talent, these 3 young women have shown that the world of their dreams is well within reach.
Blog Writer: Lori M. Trujillo
