From Resilience to Success: Tabitha’s Inspiring Journey

We are honored to celebrate the inspiring journey of Tabitha, who has demonstrated
remarkable resilience and determination since joining our program in January 2023. At just 23 years
old, Tabitha was a single mother navigating the challenges of transitional housing while working to
overcome the lasting impact of domestic violence.

From the moment she joined the program, Tabitha displayed an unwavering commitment to
transforming her life. She shared her aspirations with her Employment Counselor, expressing a
deep desire to enhance her career opportunities. With a high school diploma in hand, she set her
sights on completing the Year Up program in partnership with BNY Mellon, a workforce
development initiative empowering young adults with skills, experience, and career support.
In February 2023, Tabitha began her internship with BNY Mellon, motivated by her goal of earning a
full-time position through her performance. Her journey was marked by exceptional initiative and
perseverance. One example of her determination was securing her learner’s permit and enrolling
in driving lessons—steps she knew were crucial for achieving independence. While the process
took longer than expected, Tabitha reached a pivotal milestone in January 2024: obtaining her
driver's license, which greatly enhanced her ability to balance her responsibilities as a mother and
professional.

Working closely with her Employment Counselor, Tabitha refined her resume, ensuring she was
ready for the next chapter of her career. In July 2023, her hard work and dedication culminated in
her graduation from the Year Up program. Just two days later, she received an offer for a
permanent position at BNY Mellon—a moment that symbolized the realization of her dreams.
Since starting her new role, Tabitha has continued to excel. She earns an impressive $28 per hour,
works over 43 hours each week, and has consistently met key performance milestones, earning 3-
month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month performance incentives with recently completing
our program. Additionally, monthly transportation assistance from EDSI has helped her maintain
her commitments to her son and her career.

In August 2024, during an incentive meeting, Tabitha’s Employment Counselor shared how much of
a pleasure it has been to work with her. Tabitha responded with heartfelt gratitude:
“I wouldn’t be where I am without this program. I was lost trying to figure out how to pay for
transportation to get to the training program while finding childcare for my son. EDSI is the
reason I’ve had so much success.”

Tabitha’s journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and the life-changing power of
supportive services. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and look forward to seeing her
continued success in both her personal and professional life.

UPDATE: December 2024

Tabitha recently shared exciting news with her former Employment Counselor and the Operations
Coordinator. She has been considered for a promotion at BNY Mellon—advancing not just one but
two grades within the company—and has already received a raise.
During this conversation, Tabitha reflected on her experience with EDSI, saying:
“In other programs, I felt like just another case. Once I met the requirements, it was as if I was
pushed out into the real world. But with EDSI, it was different. I felt like everyone truly cared
about me and my success. The communication and support from my Employment Counselor
and the team kept me motivated and on track.”

Looking ahead, Tabitha is eager to give back to the community and inspire others by sharing her
story at future EARN & WorkReady events. She understands the importance of having a support
system and hopes her journey will motivate others to pursue their goals with confidence and
perseverance. Tabitha plans on visiting the Re-Employment Transition Center with her son soon to
meet the team and is looking forward to keeping connected with EDSI.

This success story was written and provided by EDSI.