Serena is a first-year law student at Northern Illinois University. She served as secretary and vice president of the Black Law Student Association and competed as a witness and first-year closing argument competitor for the Trial Advocacy Society.

She also founded Legal G.A.M.E. (Grounded in Awareness and Mindful Energy), the law school’s first mental health and wellness organization. Serena is a recipient of both the Yes We CAN Scholarship and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship.

Manal successfully transferred to Elmhurst University this year, where she is studying political science and earning straight A’s.

She also worked at Jubilee Resale through the Outreach Employment Center and currently works at My Half of the Sky.

Thluai successfully transferred from College of DuPage to Illinois State University, where she is pursuing a earth science major and secondary education certification. She joined Emerge for transfer students and Encounter, a faith-based campus organization.

Last summer, she helped provide childcare for her family, and this summer she is seeking roles in education.

Omnia will graduate in December from the University of Illinois Chicago with a biology major, ecology concentration, and minor in earth and environmental science. She works in a professor’s lab cataloging invasive species and spent spring break conducting field work in the Ozarks. She participates in Mycology Club, Bayt Al Iman Affinity Group, Terra Society, and Dream Liberation Labs, helping introduce STEAM careers to children. She will apply to graduate schools and conservation internships after graduation.

Yordanose was accepted into Northern Illinois University’s nursing program in January 2025. On campus, she participates in the African Student Association, Student Nurses’ Association, and Black Student Nurse Organization.

When home from school, she attends her Ethiopian Orthodox church.

Cheryl successfully transferred to the University of Illinois Chicago this fall, where she continues studying industrial engineering and participates in the Transfer Club. This summer will be her third internship with Procter & Gamble in Utah.

Aldo graduated in December 2018 from College of DuPage with his associate degree in nursing. Aldo graduated from Purdue in August of 2020 and was immediately hired as a nurse at Loyola Hospital in Chicago. Since then he has transitioned to Lutheran General Hospital where he loves his work on the pediatric unit. He is thinking about a return to school to secure his master’s degree in nursing and dreams about owning his own clinic one day. Aldo just earned his chemo certification so will also be working with oncology patients.

Maria graduated from Illinois State University in the spring of 2021 with a degree in social work. At Illinois State University, Maria worked hard to earn high grades. Additionally, she participated in the social work club on campus along with various internships with Healthy Start program. While not at school, Maria has worked as a parent liaison and translator for the local school district to help in various translating processes. Outreach Community Ministries hired her to work as a bi-cultural research and assessment intern to work with a local church to figure out how to best serve the Burmese people. Maria is involved with her church and has volunteered as small group leader for some years.

Jessica graduated from Hamline University in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry/ pre pharmacy while playing basketball. Jessica was accepted as a YWC graduate school scholar for the 20/21 school year, enrolled in her second year of the Doctor of Pharmacy School at Chicago State University. She completed a year of rotations the summer of 2021 in Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago. During her years of professional pharmacy school, she became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and interned at a CVS Pharmacy and the inpatient pharmacy at the University of Chicago hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered at a local pharmacy by preparing medications that included words of encouragement for the elderly who could not pick up their prescriptions. Jessica earned her Doctor of Pharmacy in May 2022 and desires to make a difference in sports pharmacy to combine her love for medicine with her passion for sports.

In 2018 Brenen was accepted into the first class of Yes We CAN scholars for his junior and senior years at Indiana State University.

In December 2019, Brenen received his Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with an emphasis on Social Work and Psychology from Indiana State University. He was the first in his family to receive his college degree.

In 2022 Brenen was accepted into the Yes We CAN graduate school scholarship program to earn his masters of arts degree from National Lewis University. His specialty is special education teaching, and his goal is to graduate by June 2024.

While in graduate school, Brenen is also working as a dean/behavior specialist and lead 5th/6th grade teacher with substitute certification now at a alternative school in Hillside. Brenen is also involved in different ministries at his church.

Hlawn Cer graduated in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in business management from North Park University. While pursuing her degree, she worked at a nursing home and participated in street ministry for the homeless. Hlawn also worked at a local bank to gain real world experience in banking and real estate. Her goal is to obtain her real estate license to help immigrant families from her home country of Myanmar secure housing.

Taniya was accepted into the fifth Yes We CAN scholarship class for her senior year at Harris Stowe State University.

In May 2023 Taniya graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology. While on campus Taniya participated in the Gospel Choir and an on-campus club – Jewel Inc. She also supported her education with a work assignment with the financial aid office at Harris Stowe. She also works as direct support at a home for those with autism.

Ally Lopez graduated pre-law from the University of Illinois Chicago with a double major in political science and criminology. She participated in UIC’s Pre-Law Society and worked at Miru as a server. After graduation, she hopes to work as a paralegal while studying for the LSAT and applying to law schools.

Alex graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago. During the past year, he worked at FedEx and Walmart, and he is currently applying for summer internships as he begins his professional career in architecture.

Mickey successfully transferred to Benedictine University, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

At the same time, he worked as a registered nurse at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. He is now considering pursuing a master’s degree in nursing informatics.

Axel was accepted as a YWC Scholar for his sophomore year at College of DuPage. (Fall 2021).

A committed participant in many of the activities Outreach provides, Axel is often called upon to be a spokesperson for the students and our program. He delivered a message at OCC’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration breakfast. He is a very motivated young man who is driven to make the best of every situation. He was awarded the 2019-2020 Jonathan D. Petit Memorial Scholarship in recognition of academic success, involvement in extracurricular activities and service projects. Alex supported his college education with a part time position at Tesla for the 2021/2022 school year.

In the fall of 2022 Alex was offered a full-time position at Tesla Oakbrook and accepted this position.

TaKyla began and completed her MBA this year at Alabama State University. She also worked at FedEx and interned in the marketing department at Outreach. After graduation, she hopes to find a job in digital marketing.

Melanie was accepted into the fifth Yes We CAN scholarship class in 2022 for her junior and senior years at Howard University.

Melanie is majoring in Film, Media, Television and Journalism with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Political Science. She is an ambassador for the Impressions Beauty Club on campus. She also works at the movie theater near campus.

Amy graduated Cum Laude from the Honors College of University of Illinois at Chicago in May 2016, with a bachelor of science in neuroscience. In May of 2018 she was accepted by Yes We CAN in its first class, for a graduate school scholarship.

Amy was accepted into medical school in 2018 at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan. While at medical school Amy was the president of OUWB’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest group and secretary of the Medical Student Association. Amy was integral in launching a student- led initiative to deliver free first aid training to the local community with the goal of training as many individuals as possible in how to respond during real-life medical emergencies.

In December 2022 Amy graduated medical school and she got married. She is officially an MD! In March 2023 Amy and her husband moved to Kalamazoo Michigan where she will do her three-year family medicine residency program at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. They recently purchased their first house and look forward to entering into community life in Kalamazoo.

Nania Chol was accepted into the third Yes We CAN scholarship class in the fall of 2020 for her freshman and sophomore years at COD, and then her junior and senior years at a four-year college.

Nania is a first-generation refugee to the United States. She arrived at a young age and eventually Nania came to reside at Outreach’s Hawthorne House in Wheaton to complete her high school course work at Wheaton North High School. Nania secured work through the Outreach Employment Center, quickly receiving a permanent job offer from Outreach – Carol Stream and the opportunity to enroll in the College Scholarship Program for her freshman at COD.

Nania transferred from College of DuPage to Columbia College Chicago in the fall of 2022. Nania’s career goal is to write and produce films and television. She has had a successful and enriching experience in her first year at Columbia College, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Television and Film. Professionally, Columbia has offered Nania incredible opportunities for collaboration, as her film and production courses led to working with Columbia’s marketing department and graphic design teams.

Par Kim was a four-year participant in the SALT College prep program at the Outreach Community Center. She immigrated to the U.S. with her family as refugees from Burma, fleeing as a result of the religious persecution of Burmese Christians. She is active in the Burmese Church in Carol Stream.

Par graduated from Aurora University Magna Cum Laude on May 6, 2023, with a bachelor degree in social work and is the first in her church to graduate with a four year degree.

On May 8th, 2023, Par immediately started her graduate school program at Aurora University with the goal to earn her master’s degree in social work by May of 2024. This past August Par started her social work internship at Centennial Elementary School in Bartlett and just completed her fall semester with one more semester left in her MSW program.

Par is fluent in English and Burmese and throughout her undergraduate school she worked as an interpreter for District 200 (Wheaton-Warrenville-Carol Stream), and also works at Davis Molding. She teaches Sunday School and is the treasurer for the youth department at her church and is a valued liaison for the Outreach – Carol Stream Community Center and the local Burmese Community.

Ryan was a 3+1 student at College of DuPage, dually enrolled at Lewis University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This was Ryan’s first semester being enrolled at Lewis University. He successfully completed his semester course work at both COD and Lewis, and overall had a smooth transition into taking courses at Lewis. In his courses, Ryan learned and gained skills in programming, cloud, and networking. Professionally Ryan benefitted from opportunities to strengthen his existing rapport building skills and to manage various aspects of his employer’s tech infrastructure. His positive work performance was rewarded with an end of year bonus. Outside of work and school, Ryan has also been working toward a CompTIA Security Plus certification, a valuable credential for his career pathway.

Makedase was accepted into the fifth Yes We CAN scholarship class in 2022 for her junior and senior years at Northern Illinois University.

Makedase enrolled in the nursing program at Northern. At NIU she was a Community Advisor and Residence Hall Association Public Relations Officer. She was also a member of the Student Nurses Association, participated in the African Student Association, and a part of the CHANCE, TRIO, and honors program. She also passed her HESE exam.