Jeannette came to Minnesota to visit her brother during the spring of 2004. She had fled from Togo, a country known for being ruled by a corrupt dictator. Once she arrived in the United States, she filed for asylum because living in Togo was dangerous. Her family at home opposed the current oppressive government and their lives were threatened by many people around them.
After receiving asylum, Jeannette applied for her husband, parents and children to come to Minnesota. She also began searching for employment. Jeannette soon discovered that it would take some effort to find a job that she wanted, but through a referral from her brother, she gave a call to Refugee Services for help. She spoke to Employment Counselor Mike Zaslofsky and the two began creating a resume, practicing interview techniques and discussing what the working world is like in the United States.
Jeannette was also in need of clothing. Due to her entrance into the United States as a visitor, she wasn’t prepared for life in Minnesota. Mike helped fulfill those needs by taking her to Vine and Branches, a near by clothing store. This was a helpful step in helping Jeannette feel more comfortable in Minnesota.
She started applying for positions, and it did not take long before she was noticed. Only a few weeks after she and Mike began working together, they found a position opening in nutrition services at Fairview Medical Center. Soon after, Jeannette was granted an interview. She did so well at that meeting that she was offered the position and started work immediately!
Additional good news came when her husband and two children were cleared to come to the U.S. After they arrived, her husband was able to find work at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis and their two young children began elementary school. Next year, Jeannette’s husband will go to school to become a pharmacy technician.
Recently, Jeannette received training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and left Nutrition Services to follow this new career. She’s very excited about being a CNA in the surgery department and plans to pursue further training to become a surgical technician in the coming months!
Jeannette is still concerned for Togo because “things are still getting worse,” but she’s very grateful to have a job she loves and much of her family here in Minnesota.
|
