Sisters receive Chromebooks

After traveling through 13 countries from Afghanistan, Setara arrived in Rochester in early 2023. She was one of the special generation of Afghan women who were lucky to be young when the Taliban first fell and thus able to receive an education. After graduation, Setara began working with older women who missed the opportunity to become educated. She taught women basic literacy skills, including how to write their names so they could legally sign documents for themselves. Setara also led training sessions to help women understand their rights and develop personal values.

In Setara’s words, “Humans can’t live with just food and security. We need hope, and education brings hope.” 

Saint’s Place Refugee Educational Initiative has awarded Setara a laptop that is necessary for her education. Because she does not yet qualify for financial aid, the tuition assistance that she also received enables her to take ESOL classes at MCC. Given her determination, Setara plans to be ready for college classes for the fall semester. 

Setara says, “I will be useful in my new country. I will do good things.” Saint’s Place believes that she will definitely become a successful, contributing member of her new country.

Meet Jamal, 36, who is originally from Afghanistan. He grew up in Iran as a refugee and moved to Indonesia in 2013, where he waited for 10 years, until 2023, to be resettled in Rochester. 

His case manager from Catholic Charities Family and Community Services wrote about his dedication to performance, community leadership and service and offered her “highest recommendation” for Jamal. He now has his driver’s license, thanks to driving lessons provided by the Refugee Educational Initiative. Jamal has a car and is now employed full-time.

Meet Farzad. He is 25 years old and arrived in Rochester from Afghanistan in 2021. He is married, has a child, and he and his wife are expecting a baby soon. 

Farzad strengthened his skills by enrolling in English classes and joined MAC (Making a Connection, a youth mentoring program), program offered at OACES (Office of Adult and Career Education Services) through the Rochester City School District. He participated in activities that embedded employment skills and acculturation to prepare him for his first job. Farzad is supportive of his wife who is currently finishing her high school degree. He is hard-working, dedicated and strongly motivated by his family.

Financial support from the Refugee Educational Initiative enabled Farzad to earn his CDL-A (Commercial Driver’s License) from the Canandaigua Driving School. The program included highly structured courses as well as on-road, behind-the-wheel training with one-to-one instruction.

Farzad worked diligently to learn the necessary skills and proudly passed the road test. He has learned everything necessary to operate a commercial vehicle with confidence. What an accomplishment! Farzad is excited to start his new full-time job at Turn Key Operations after receiving a strong recommendation from his current employer.

The best part of his job is that it is close to home, so Farzad will be able to walk to work. 

Saint’s Place congratulates Farzad on his persistence and hard work as he begins his new career utilizing his CDL.

Fatima is 21 and grateful to live in the United States where, as a woman, she is able to go to college. This would not be possible in Afghanistan, her native country. Fatima has demonstrated amazing persistence by her travel to Pakistan to receive approval for the F-1 student visa and make it to Rochester and Monroe Community College. 

She has begun her third semester as a full-time student and is registered for the following classes: Accounting, Principles of Microeconomics, College Composition, Principles of Marketing and Applied Calculus. The tuition assistance she received from the Refugee Educational Initiative has made this possible.

In Fatima’s words, this assistance “signifies belief in my potential and dedication to my education. With (this help), I can focus on my studies and aspirations without the added stress of financial constraints. Your generosity motivates me to work diligently and make the most of this invaluable opportunity.”

Fatima is “sincerely grateful” for this investment in her education. “Your commitment to empowering students like me is truly inspiring. Rest assured, I will make the most of this support and strive to contribute positively to society.” We wish you all the best, Fatima.

Meet Mohammed, 30 years old, who left his home country in Iraq in 2015 because his family’s life was in danger. He moved to Turkey and arrived with his brother in Rochester in March 2023. At one point, Mohammed and his brother had to move to a new apartment. Without any help from his case manager, Mohammed found a new apartment. He was enrolled in a program through Catholic Charities Family and Community Services to help clients become self-sufficient in a very short time. The Saint’s Place Refugee Educational Initiative paid for Mohammed to receive lessons to learn how to drive. Mohammed now has his license and a car. Congratulations, Mohammed! 

Madina (and her family) arrived in the United States from Afghanistan in April 2022. She was dually enrolled in and graduated from Rochester International Academy and Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School this past year. According to her school counselor, she has adapted to her life in America while also staying true to her cultural roots. 

Madina is the oldest child in her family and has had many responsibilities at home. While working part time, she was able to maintain a 5.0 GPA in school. She was Student Government President, Social Media Coordinator of the Interact Club, a member of the African Drumming Group, and participated in RIA’s volleyball club team. Outside of school, Madina was a Teen Leader of the Cultivating Community 4-H Youth Group. She was a recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Award and was an honored recipient of the Monroe County Youth Advocate of the Year Award. Despite being in the United States for a little over a year, Madina passed her Regents exams and has begun classes at Nazareth College. 

Her school counselor wrote that Madina always offered to lend a helping hand or help a classmate who was having a hard time with a class. She often asked her teachers what she could do to help them if she had finished her assignments or exams. Madina was hardworking, dedicated, motivated, had a passion for learning, and was a role model for her peers.

One of Madina’s passions is art, her major, and she has transitioned well to classes this fall. Madina is especially thankful for her parents and teachers who believe in her and support her “in every single situation.”

Saint’s Place Refugee Educational Initiative has provided Madina with a Dell computer, tuition assistance, and funds for books and art materials required for her classes. We wish her the best as she pursues her dream to become an illustrator. Work hard, Madina!

Before fleeing Ukraine and arriving in Rochester in the spring of 2022, Myroslav was working as a nurse. He is in the process of having his college transcripts assessed by an outside credential evaluation service, so that some transfer credits can be awarded for courses such as anatomy and microbiology. 

Sometimes, foreign-educated nurses can become nurses in the United States after passing both an English language-proficiency test and the U.S. national licensure exam without having to re-earn a nursing degree in this country. 

Myro understands that he needs to improve his English language skills, so he is currently enrolled in two ESOL courses at Monroe Community College this fall. A highly motivated young man, Myro is very grateful for the laptop computer from the Saint’s Place Refugee Educational Initiative to assist him in his journey to working as a nurse in the U.S. 

Saint's Place Executive Director Isabel Miller congratulates Hamidullah on receiving a full set of tools for a job as an automotive technician. Hamidullah is from Afghanistan, and he'll now be able to provide a better future for his family. 

Mamadou Barry, age 19, from Guinea, had to flee his country because he was arrested at age 13 when he was near a protest. He escaped and left the country with an adult family friend. He traveled to South America and then to Mexico, in the end, by himself because the friend died in an accident, before arriving in Henrietta. 

Mamadou is currently a senior at Rush-Henrietta High School. He’s been accepted to Alfred State college and plans to become an electrician, and perhaps an electrical engineer if he continues. Saint’s Place awarded Mamadou a new laptop computer to use in continuing his studies.  

The high school principal wrote a glowing recommendation about the positive impact Mamadou has had on the school community. Through the Diversity Club, he has been a leader in helping students transition to high school. Mamadou received All-League honors as a member of the indoor track team and earned an opportunity to compete in the New York State Championships. 

He has tutored middle-school students in math, reading and soccer. 

Mamadou’s principal wrote, “It is truly amazing to experience the way he impacts our community of learners…Mamadou has done all of this while demonstrating strong performance in course work and taking advantage of opportunities throughout his high school years.”

Mamadou intends to provide financial support to his family in Guinea. He currently lives with his uncle and five cousins.

When refugees complete the Automotive Technician Program at OACES, it's vital that they have the necessary tools in order to get jobs, so Saint's Place provides tools as part of our educational initiative. Recently, these four men from Afghanistan finished the program and are now fully employed. Ahmad, Amirjan, Tawfiq and Shamsull were delighted to get the boxes of tools. They arrived in Rochester in the fall of 2021.

Vira, far left,  arrived from Ukraine in May 2022. Saint's Place has given her a laptop to help her improve her English language skills. Vira is trained as a nurse. Saint's Place Advisory Board member Beth Messner presented the laptop to Vira.