“My daughters will have more freedom. They’ll look up to me and think, ‘My mother got herself out of a difficult situation and improved herself from the ground up.”
Claudia* found Fresh Start at a vulnerable point in her life at the recommendation of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). She recently lost her job and turned to DES for help.
She had years of experience in the banking industry and DES staff recognized Claudia’s finance background as the ideal foundation for her next role.
DES told Claudia about Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and suggested she enroll in certification training.
“When I came to Fresh Start, I felt hopeless. I didn’t know what direction to go. How am I going to create a better life and make more money for my kids? I’m a single mom.”
Claudia reached out to Fresh Start at the beginning of 2024 and joined the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) program beginning that Spring.
“I’ve never been a part of a program like this before. I used to apply to jobs and hope I was lucky enough to get it. When I was talking to someone about where I wanted to be with my career, they (Fresh Start team members) told me about SIE. So, it’s cool someone out there helped me get to this goal.”
Although stepping into the unknown of trying something new, Claudia felt comfort in knowing that Fresh Start was dedicated to supporting women. As the class continued, she built meaningful connections with the women in her SIE program, finding a sense of community and support that inspired her every step of the way.
“I tend to be a little closed off, I’m not a huge talker… I’ve been embarrassed to ask for help. The all-women environment made me feel more comfortable asking for help… I’m happy with the friendships I’ve made, and I will keep in contact with them. We all came here with a goal and we’re on the same journey trying to better ourselves.”
Claudia leaned on her newfound friends when she ran into challenges in class. If she had questions or wanted to study, she felt comfortable being vulnerable with the women in her cohort and asked for help.
Sometimes she wondered: ‘Am I able to do this? Did I overcommit? Am I meant for this?‘ In those trying moments, she remembered her daughters and her familial support system.
“If my dad sees me lost, he shows up when I need him to tell me to keep going. When I’m losing motivation or focus, he senses it and gives me that extra push.”
As a single mom, Claudia aims to always lead by example for her 13- and 12-year-old daughters. She hopes that by watching her accomplish her career goals, that they will feel the freedom in knowing they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.
“They’ll look up to me and think, ‘My mother got herself out of a difficult situation and improved herself from the ground up.’ I’m hopeful they’ll carry that on. Their mom was able to pick herself up from the floor and build herself back up.”
Through her journey at Fresh Start, Claudia gained career training as well as enrolled in Fresh Start’s Personal Empowerment Series, a month-long program dedicated to finding self-purpose, setting boundaries, and work on personal growth.
“It helped me be less shy, more open, more independent, outspoken, not to be afraid to take risks. Doing something without knowing what’s at the end because it could be a better version than what you’re living now. It’s always worth the risk.”
She aspires to secure a good job, reach financial security, and bring her daughters into a better life. She hoped that other women looking to reach the same dreams find Fresh Start to reach their goals.
“Don’t feel completely hopeless. There is help. There is a better way of life. You just have to look for it and be committed to it all the way, even when it’s scary. Even when you think you’re going to fail, just keep going, and you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel if you commit to it all the way.”
After she completed the SIE program, Claudia earned a full-time job with benefits as a Financial Receptionist in the Phoenix Valley.