I came to the United States five years ago from Cuba and did not speak English. I got a job working in a trash compacting factory for minimum wage and found it hard to live by. I wanted to go further with my life and after three months, I decided to go after my dream.

I wanted to work within my community and make a difference, be an example. I went after a better paying job and started taking college courses and learned to speak English. This gave me a better perspective on life and how to achieve my goals.

I learned of LSF through my community and respected the impact they make. I am now an Employment Specialist at LSF where I can apply my own life experiences to help my clients in their transition. I tell them, “If you believe, you can.”

This February, I will start my process for citizenship.

– Ignacio Prieto, Employment Specialist, LSF