Ryan is 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. Although his classes will be primarily online, Ryan toured Lewis University before the semester started, joined by his dad and college coach. In his courses, Ryan learned and gained skills in programming, cloud, and networking. Ryan continued working nearly full-time hours while taking classes this semester. 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.

TaKyla Mahone completed her second year as a business major at Alabama State University and made the Dean’s List.

She volunteers at a local elementary school and works as an athletic tutor. She also participates in a Bible Study on campus. She hopes to be able to do a real estate internship this summer in Texas.

Mickey Nolasco is continuing his studies at College of DuPage which includes nursing program classes. He works at Symphony Nursing Home. Mickey will be finishing up this May at COD with his ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing). He has academic honors for his GPA. He is currently deciding if he will transfer somewhere to complete his BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). He continues to work 16 hours a week at Ignite Medical Resort as a CNA.

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.

Axel was accepted as a YWC Scholar for his sophomore year at College of DuPage. (Fall 2021) where his plan is to receive his associate degree in the fall 2022.

Axel Caballero graduated from Wheaton North in 2020. He has been involved with Outreach since moving to Carol Stream in the fourth grade. He participated in both track and field and the wrestling program, excelling in whatever sport he chose to do any given year. While enrolled in OCC’s Summer Youth Employment Program, Axel worked as a facility manager’s aide for a few years and then at Discoveries Resale Shop in Warrenville, receiving outstanding evaluations from his supervisors. For the past two years, Axel has worked at Culver’s in Carol Stream. 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. He hopes to complete his undergraduate education in the foreseeable future to help further his career at Tesla.

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.

Nania Chol was accepted into the third YWCAN 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.

While at COD, Nania continued as a valued employee at Outreach-Carol Stream where she served as a receptionist at the community center and utilized her fluency in four (4) languages to serve as a liaison for many within the African immigrant community who are connected to the center.

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 is pursuing 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.

Nania had another successful semester at Columbia College and continues to effectively manage full time courses, working almost full time at Outreach Carol Stream, and commuting to and from Chicago. A labor strike of adjunct faculty, which has now reached resolution, made for an interesting semester, and did impact Nania’s courses. Nania demonstrated flexibility, engagement, integrity, and discernment. An academic highlight of the semester was Nania’s opportunity to work on and perform a monologue for her acting class. After volunteering at the Chicago International Film Festival last fall, Nania was invited to be the Volunteer Coordinator of Columbia student volunteers at this year’s festival. The film festival again provided invaluable networking opportunities for Nania, who enjoyed conversations with film directors and producers. Highlights from this year’s festival include meeting Barack and Michelle Obama and Michelle Shannon.

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 Counseling 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 Louis University. His specialty is special education teaching, and he passed his content exam in November ’23. He will student teach in April at the school he is currently working at and his goal is to graduate by June 2024.

While in graduate school, Brenen is also working as a dean/behavior specialist and lead 9th grade teacher with substitute certification now at an alternative school in Hillside. Brenen also leads the Restorative Practices program at his school.

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

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

Makedase continues to progress in her nursing program and got a 4.0 this past fall semester. She also passed her HESE exam this semester and earned 99.9% on it. She is in the National Student Leadership Society and works at the front desk of the dorm in addition to be a CA (Community Assistant).

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.

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.

Though she graduated in May, she is back in school taking prerequisites for a nursing program (this is different than the dental hygienist route she was previously thinking)! She took a full load this semester at her college and then will take 2 more classes this semester at a community college in Missouri. She then hopes to start the nursing program in the fall and be done in 3 semesters (accelerated version). She also works as direct support at a home for those with autism.

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.