Student Success Stories

OACES students making a difference in the workplace

Our students are trained to help employers meet their workforce needs. We have amazing students, who have progressed into responsible positions and continued education.

Cecilia, citizen ceremony, refugee, employed culinary student, Wegmans — In April 2016, Cecilia was sworn in as a US citizen. She stands beside culinary instructor Jeffrey Wujcik after the ceremony at the Minerva DeLand School in Fairport. Cecilia took advantage of the citizenship classes offered at OACES.

Cecilia was a Ugandan refugee, and graduate of OACES culinary program. She is employed at the Pittsford Wegmans store.

Instructor Jason Millington with Nina. Two employers offered Nina a position and she now does commercial wiring. When asked about the program, she raved, "I can’t say enough about it. It’s an awesome program. Higher rate than expected. It has all been a blessing.” — Two employers offered Nina a position and she now does commercial wiring. When asked about the program, she raved, “I can’t say enough about it. It’s an awesome program. Higher rate than expected. It has all been a blessing.”

Tareq took ESOL classes at OACES, and continued education with political science and international relations courses at MCC, Geneseo, and RIT. Tareq is now employed in document translation and interpreting services, and volunteers at a refugee outreach center.

Ezrine found a job at one of the nation’s top academic medical centers, and spends evenings working at a non-profit nursing home. She is now looking into LPN training. “I’m really loving the experience and can tell you that the wealth of information you passed on to me through classes, lab and clinical were not in vain. I am amazed at how much I learnt over the 2 months of class. Thanks, thanks and many thanks! I now feel like I’ve truly found my niche and I want to take the steps to further myself.”

OACES Vocational Job Board Rochester NY — Kyra graduated from our culinary careers program, and was hired by Lackmann Culinary Services at St. John Fisher College. Lackmann serves on our culinary advisory board.

Lackmann Culinary is on our Culinary Careers Advisory Board, and has hired seven of our graduates. In early 2016, the Culinary Careers program placed their 62nd graduate into full time employment.

Kimberly, one of our Customer Service students, was accepted into MCC’s Health Technology program. She walked into the Dollar Tree to fill out an application, and was hired immediately. The manager took one look at her resume, and wanted to interview her on the spot. The manager was impressed at the number of certificates she had earned in her Customer Service class. After her first day of work, the manager told her she has management potential.

Jazlyn was homeless and pregnant when she decided she wanted high school equivalency and career. She overcame obstacles to take HSE at OACES, and her instructor encouraged her not to give up. She passed her TASC test, took our customer service training classes, and is now employed at ESL. She has two lovely children, a husband and apartment, and hope for her future.

Jessica felt like she started late when going through our CNA program. She now works at the Jewish Home, is about to start an RN program, and loves taking care of people. Others working at the Jewish Home, like Crystal and Tabitha, also trained in our CNA program.

Ndahiro took advantage of several programs at OACES, and continued education at MCC. He now helps resettle refugees, through translation, outreach, transportation; Ndahiro is full time men’s shelter housing associate at Catholic Family Services. He founded the Africans United Organization to help refugees become self-sufficient.

Julio, Joma and Jacob went through our electrical program, and found jobs with electrical and lighting contractors. Julio had a job within a month after graduating, and found OACES “Helping in all aspects of life, job.” — Julio, Joma and Jacob went through our electrical program, and found jobs with electrical and lighting contractors. Julio paid for his own program. Within a month after graduating, he found work in energy management lighting. A year later, he was wiring apartment complexes for Larry Masci Electrical. Now he is an electrician in our own district. Julio found OACES “Helping in all aspects of life, job.”

Abdul was promoted three times in the year following his ESOL classes. “OACES is like a warm, welcoming family. A great stepping stone, it prepared me for work. I will always be connected to this school.”

Kristin wrote her Customer Service teacher, “I received another pay raise… and also got my first bonus.”
She was promoted within six months at one of the largest credit unions in the country, and will upgrade before summer. Kristin occasionally volunteers to come back to OACES on her days off, to speak to classes.

A month after completing the CNA program, Christina was hired by an award-winning senior living community. Through their support, she continued college courses, building on her physical therapy background. “You can do it. My teacher cares, she really cares.” Christina appreciated that OACES helped not just with English, but how to get a car, where to live, and how to find other resources after moving to the US.

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We are so glad to see the successes our participants have created for themselves!