Success Stories

Nushawn’s story is definitely inspirational. Nushawn is a 10th grader in the Academy of Engineering and Green Technology. Nushawn recently received awards in his academy for excellent attendance and effort in all of his classes. He came to the United States with his sister almost two years ago.

Nushawn has overcome many barriers. In the Fall of 2011 his father died from cancer. This was very heartbreaking for Nushawn because he had a close bond with his father and looked up to him. Nushawn aspires to follow in his father’s foot-steps. His dad was a part of Jamaica Defense Force and Nushawn plans to have a career in public safety. A month after losing his father, Nushawn had to relocate from Kingston St. Andrews, Jamaica to Hartford, Connecticut for better opportunities and a better education leaving his mother behind in Jamaica.

Nushawn stated that he has overcome his barriers by trying his hardest to keep people happy and by making them laugh. One of the many things he does to stay busy is being a band member at church. He plays the drums for his church, Power Tabernacle Ministries, in East Hartford. Nushawn enjoys playing soccer and video games. His vision for the world is not the same as that of the typical teenager. He has a very strong passion for world peace. He expressed that there is too much hate in the world and he wants to help stop that, even if it means going into ministry as well. Nushawn ultimately aspires to inspire.

 

Winifer Rosario - Journey through high school

When I came into high school as a freshman I was very shy and lacked confidence in myself. To top that off , I did not know the first thing to do to obtain a job. In the summer as a sophomore, I participated in the in the Summer Youth Employment and Learning program with the Urban League of Greater Hartford. During the summer, I was in a comfortable setting at my school high school learning about job readiness skills. I learned  how to build a resume, write a cover letter and a thank you letter, all which were foreign  terms  to me. The following year, I was able to go on actual job interviews. I interviewed for a position at Hartford’s City Hall and was hired to work in the Communications Department. I was able to attend various town hall meetings, interview Mayor Segarra in Spanish and in English as well as meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I also interviewed with UBS Realty Investment and got to work in a clerical  position. Last year I became involved in theater in school and I loved it! In the summer I wanted an internship where I would be able to act. I interviewed with HeartBeat Ensemble and was able to become a summer apprentice. There I helped create a play based on a societal issue and performed it for the community at the Bushnell. Throughout my high school journey the Urban League has been  there to help me grew as a person.  I grew confident in myself. Today I am the Valedictorian for my high school and I feel as though I am well prepared for the workforce.  I will be attending Providence College in the fall and my journey so far has been awesome.  Thank you Urban League!!!  

 

Ms. Maria Jimenez came to the Urban League in 2012. She attended our 8 hour class, then returned for one-on one budgeting and credit counseling. She says, “ it has been a good experience. I was taught how to develop a budget and a monthly spending plan. I now have a sense of direction. I know how to use credit, I am more in-formed and understand credit better. I feel that I am moving forward. Urban League showed me how to get started and where I need to go to accomplish my goal of homeownership. I am keeping an eye on my budget. I didn’t think I could be a homeowner but I am on my way thanks to Urban League.”

 

Corey Jackson, a native of Alabama had been struggling and unemployed for six months when a friend at his church referred him to the Urban League of Greater Hartford.  A bit discouraged and unsure he contacted the Urban League seeking whatever type of help he could get.  Before long Corey was referred to the Employability Skills Training program where he met with great success and eventually became a graduate of the program.  After program completion, Corey was still receiving guidance and support from the Urban League and after a month or so of job searching he was hired by a temporary employment agency.  Although this was a magnificent achievement and cause for celebration his joy would be short lived as his struggles were far from over.  Less than two weeks after becoming employed Corey’s home was destroyed by fire.  Corey once again reached out to the Urban League for support, where he received the appropriate referrals for agencies which could help during his time of need.  Despite this being a traumatic time in his life, Corey continued his daily work regimen at the temp agency and is still employed today.  Corey now has a new apartment, steady work and stable housing!

 

Warren’s story is not that of your typical high school dropout.  In fact, his mother was a college graduate and had hoped that her children would follow in her foot steps and also pursue higher education.  However, much to her disappointment Warren dropped out of school before his senior year to pursue employment.

He eventually found a job as a server on a cruise ship.   After many years of working in the cruise industry, Warren decided it was time to settle down and start a family of his own.  It wasn’t long before he was faced with the responsibility of supporting a wife, 4 children and two step children.  Upon leaving the cruise industry he found work as a cook in various area restaurants barely making enough money to support his family.  Warren had never forgotten his mother’s expectations of him and in 2012 he enrolled in the Urban League of Greater Hartford’s GED program.  His goal was to earn his high school diploma and eventually go on to college.  However, this goal seemed uncertain as his test scores upon entering the program were well below the threshold needed to begin GED preparation.  Although most people would have been discouraged, Warren did not allow this to deter him, he worked with his teachers’ one on one to set goals and create an action plan.  Warren remained dedicated in his pursuit never missing a day of schools and studying on nights and weekends. 

Three short months later he was ready to take the GED exam and passed it on his first try, a remarkable achievement considering his test scores upon entry into the program.  Warren however, did not stop there, he took advantage of other services and trainings being offered which included economic self-sufficiency, career preparation and college transition. In addition, Warren was also given the opportunity to attend study skills trainings, career fairs and trips to visit local colleges.  After having taken advantage of the multitude of services offered, Warren felt he had the confidence, tools and knowledge necessary to pursue his dream of earning a college degree. 

 In January 2014 he enrolled in Manchester community college and credits the Urban League with helping him transform his life.  These new opportunities have given him the ability to make enough money to support his family in the future.