“My nerves were on fire!”
The following is told by Esmeralda, an employed participant of Cara, January 2024 Cohort.
“When I first joined Cara, I needed a job. After several months without work, my sister told me about Cara and the positive experience she had. I was apprehensive about it at first, but I knew I needed a change.
“The first time I went into the Motivations circle my nerves were on fire! Everything about the atmosphere felt so professional. I was scared and not just because you can feel everyone watching you. I was worried about whether I’d fit in with the other job seekers in my cohort and that no one would understand me since English is my second language.
“Then I went into the circle to share my story and a wave of pride washed over me. I realized I had faced a significant challenge head-on and succeeded. The more I leaned in, the more I got to know the teachers and fellow participants, the more my fears faded away. I had been scared, but Cara created a supportive environment where I quickly felt at home.
“In July 2024, I accepted a job at Sodexo as an Environmental Services Attendant. It gives me such peace of mind just knowing that I have a job. I feel secure and supported there. I didn’t have that before Cara.
“My coach, Shakiera, was instrumental in my journey. My relationship with her gave me guidance and provided encouragement when I had doubts in myself. Her support made me feel so valued. When I wasn’t confident in myself, I had my coach. When I don’t feel confident with my current job, I can talk to her and she motivates me. Shakiera helps me stay consistent with my role, and she gives supportive feedback on how I can solve challenges, grow in my career, and face any issues that arise at work.
“My son even applied to Cara! When he got accepted, we both cried tears of joy because we already knew how much Cara can help. Seeing him walk into the Motivations circle filled me with pride. Now we both get to work in jobs that we are excited about and our lives are forever changed because of the opportunities Cara provided us.“
Your support this season makes an immediate, impactful difference in the lives of Cara’s job seekers. Transform a life this Season of Giving at www.caracollective.org/give.
