“I love Fresh Start’s name. Whatever has happened to you, you can refresh and start again. You have a new life. It’s the opportunity to make a new version of yourself. People here give you the chance for a new life.”
Embarking on a new chapter of life comes with its challenges, especially for Samorn*, whose latest chapter included immigrating to the United States from Cambodia with her husband and two young children.
In Cambodia, Samorn’s life revolved around her role as a wife and mother, and societal norms didn’t flex to allow opportunity outside of the home.
“In Cambodia, the man is the head of the household, and women care for the kids and do household things. But here [in the United States], I want different.”
When her family arrived in the U.S., she was surprised when her husband expressed that, as part of their new lives, their household would operate like an “American household” and that she could find a job and start working.
“I gave up not doing something for myself for a very long time, almost five or six years, because I was busy with the kids and married life.”
She was very excited at the prospect of getting skilled up and on a career path with her own income.
“For me, [a job is] freedom to be independent and make decisions. If you have a job, you have financial independence, so you can do whatever you need to do…I want to improve my career, and my life will be better.”
Samorn didn’t know where to go or how to begin working toward a career. She needed a helping hand, so she Googled “women help,” and that’s when she found Fresh Start.
“There’s opportunity, and help and a system in place to help women. I did more research, kept in contact with Fresh Start, and then applied to the Women in Finance program they offered.”
The program focused on the fundamental knowledge necessary for entry-level careers in the banking industry. Samorn also learned about her new country’s banking operations, regulations, and laws.
Samorn felt motivated to work toward her own definition of success: a financially independent life, mental and physical health, and self-confidence. Because her current situation was exhausting, each day required a new commitment to her personal vision of success. She knew this was her opportunity to truly do something for herself.
Before the Women in Finance program, Samorn worked as an overnight housekeeper at a local casino. Her eight-hour shifts started at 10 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m., and there were days she looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself.
When the Women in Finance classes started, Samorn continued working at the casino. Her schedule hardly allowed any respite. After working her night shift at the casino, Samorn came home and got her kids ready for school. Once they were dropped off, she would quickly nap before driving to the Fresh Start downtown headquarters for the Women in Finance program. After class, she would pick up the kids from school and nap again before her night shift started the entire cycle again.
“Some days were hard; I was so tired. Sometimes, I’d just sit in the class and close my eyes but try not to fall asleep… This is just for a while, and I will do whatever job I need to do to get money, pay taxes, and get good credit because I just got to the U.S.”
At any moment, Samorn could have decided it was all too hard, especially when she faced her own traditional parents and in-laws who didn’t think she should spend her time getting educated.
“I told them, ‘I have to go. No one can stop me.‘ I’m not missing the program, and it’s only for a few weeks. I want to finish it. I can’t keep going like before [the U.S.] because all I did was take care of my kids and the household. I felt nothing. I wasn’t motivated.”
During the Women in Finance program, Samorn found happiness in the educational and supportive environment. She heard other women’s stories, and it motivated her to find herself again.
“When I’m here, I feel like I’m getting myself back. I don’t worry about everything I’ve been through, and just coming into the building and seeing the other women, I feel good already. I feel lighter. I used to give up what I wanted to do, but here, I don’t want to give up.”
Samorn found special connections among the other women at Fresh Start, and she appreciated Fresh Start’s commitment to helping women grow stronger and stand taller.
“If you create a positive environment and community, you can lead your new start better. Community is everything, and I’ve found that here at Fresh Start.”
She hoped other women would find inner strength and that a supportive community like Fresh Start would become bigger than their problems.
“I want to keep moving forward, and I’m reminding myself that if I stop, I lose. I have to keep improving myself. This is the best way to live my life happy.”
Samorn completed the Women in Finance program with foundational financial knowledge and a newfound career interest to become a financial fraud investigator. To do so, Samorn plans to continue her education in financial securities and eventually go to school for an associate’s degree.
“For now, I can dare to see my face in the mirror again. I recognize myself, and I know I can do it. I’m ready for something greater…I need to make something for myself, not just others. Something to make me feel strong inside.”
Samorn’s journey exemplifies the inherent strength and resilience of women striving to improve their circumstances. Like many, she aspired to be the best self for her family but realized that self-care and education were essential first steps. Fresh Start provides highly motivated women with stories like Samorn, with the support, community, and practical tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency.
“I know that at Fresh Start, we can share and talk about our problems because they have so many resources. I can ask for help. I see the benefits of being here and feel really happy. I loved the program, and I’m excited about what’s next.”