Zuleyma M. is 27 years old and grew up in Anaheim. Before Hope Builders, Zuleyma worked part-time in a hair salon while also attending community college. “I always dreamed of going to college but financially couldn’t make it work even with the long hours I was working,” Zuleyma recalls. She felt discouraged when comparing herself to other people her age and longed to be more established in life.

When she heard about Hope Builders from a friend she jumped at the chance to enroll in its healthcare training academy. At Hope Builders Zuleyma realized that she wasn’t alone and that there was no need to compare herself to her peers. She was surrounded by others who were also motivated to change their lives. “From the moment I started the program, the environment was supportive,” recalled Zuleyma. Today, she works as a medical assistant at St. Joseph Heritage earning $17.73 an hour with full benefits. “It’s a relief to have a steady income and career that I love. Thank you for making my dreams come true!”