“It’s another risk for me, but it’s a big one. Now I’m doing this for me. I’m not thinking of my kids and ex-husband and family. No. Now it’s for me.”
Reyna* looked around at her three children, all grown and in successful careers. It was everything that she ever wanted for them as an immigrant mother. The next step in her journey was to start putting herself first.
Then, her oldest son was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 35. He quickly had successful surgery and was on the road to recovery, but Reyna was exhausted by the trying times. On top of her son’s diagnosis, Reyna decided to file for divorce from her husband.
“It was just one thing after another, and then I decided to divorce my husband. The last six months have been hard for me… I stayed with a person for 25 years without love.”
Reyna turned her attention toward gaining quick education to refresh her resume in anticipation of her martial situation. She found Fresh Start online and immediately visited the center downtown to ask for more information about its resources.
After working with Fresh Start team members, Reyna applied and was accepted into the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) program in Summer 2024.
The course was challenging for Reyna, and she sometimes wondered if she should give up. When things got tough, she thought about her children and remembered her why: the journey of putting herself first.
Her children were settled and prosperous in their own lives, and this course was meant to symbolize the start of a journey of putting her needs above others.
“The beginning was difficult, but as the days passed, I became more confident in the class and communicating with the teacher and my classmates. Everything got better.”
For Reyna, Fresh Start provided company, instruction, friends, and a sense of family.
“This class showed me I’m not the only woman with problems. Fresh Start understands that humans need another person to support them.”
The SIE program planted new goals in Reyna’s mind, including attaining her master’s degree and maybe even a doctorate someday. She also wants to start her own business.
She wasn’t satisfied with getting the certification and viewed the SIE program at Fresh Start as a steppingstone to continuing to achieve her goals.
“I’m not finished. I think that every step is working toward doing something better.”
As she learned the skills of entry-level positions in the financial securities industry, Fresh Start also provided Reyna with a community of people who believed in her when she needed it most.
“Life will be different now because I know that people believe in me. I need to believe in myself… I’m scared, but if I don’t do this, I won’t go anywhere.”
Reyna recommends Fresh Start to other women looking for an opportunity to get a job or make new friends.
“They need to believe in themselves, but that can be the hardest thing of all. Sometimes, I don’t believe in myself but look at all the things I’ve done. Now, I’m fighting for myself.”
In June 2024, Reyna completed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) program at Fresh Start and aims to continue on her journey of prioritizing her needs and goals.