By Tetiana F. and Rossella A.
JEVS’ Center for New Americans (CNA) helps many people from Haiti. Haiti is a small country with lots of natural resources, but it is struggling with poverty and crime. Just a small group of people in Haiti have most of the country’s money, while many Haitians live in poverty, earning less than $2.00 a day, and some even less than $1.25 a day. The average salary in Haiti is about 50 times lower than in the United States.
Marie C.N. came to the United States in March 2023. In Haiti, she worked as a school custodian after she finished high school. In the U.S., she found a job as a packer at a company called Greenyard Logistics, even though it was far from her home.
Even though Marie did not speak much English, she worked hard and was always on time. She learned quickly and got better at English. She also kept looking for other jobs. In November, CNA helped her apply for a Warehouse Worker position at URBN. Marie impressed the people interviewing her with her energy, confidence, and humor. They offered her the job, which provided full health benefits and was closer to her home. She works there now and hopes to get a Pennsylvania driver’s license and a car soon.
What is special about Marie is how much she loves Haiti. She shares Haitian culture, music, fashion, and history on social media. She stays informed about what is happening in Haiti and helps her family back there. Marie is proud to be Haitian, and that makes her story stand out. People like Marie make the United States more diverse and show that anyone can achieve the American dream with hard work and kindness.
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