In January 2018, the IRC in San Jose began admitting participants in CareerLink, a career development program focused around vocational training and advanced work readiness training. As part of the initiative, CareerLink aims to maintain a minimum 70% participation rate of women, allowing professional growth that focuses on women's empowerment. 

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Miriam gets her certificate!

On May 6th, the first CareerLink participant, Miriam Barnes, completed her Certified Nursing Assistant certification through the Nurse Builders Academy, a local training partner for the program with financial support from the IRC. Miriam, a single mother from Sierra Leonne, showed incredible dedication and motivation, working often above 40 hours per week on weekdays as a caretaker while studying on the weekends to complete her CNA. Unsurprisingly, she was employed immediately after graduation with a 20% increase in wages and full medical benefits. From her entrance into the program, she has continually stated her desire to take care of others in her career, and she is now able to do that while still providing for her family, both in San Jose and at home in Sierra Leonne. 

Miriam's success demonstrates the impact CareerLink and similar programs can have in a very short time. In addition to her certification and new employment, Miriam also showed other signs of growth in the short time she participated in the program. When she first came to us, she was timid and shy, unsure of herself and nervous about communicating. The IRC staff she worked with all saw her potential, and through strong encouragement from staff and active participation in program activities, Miriam now walks into the IRC office with a new sense of confidence and pride, announcing her new career successes with a smile on her face.

We hope that Miriam's success can be an inspiration to other women joining the CareerLink program and is an indication of the impact this program can have.