6 Inside JEVS Spring 2007

OksanaMaking Hope Happen for...

Determination Led Her toa New Life in a New LandOksana Chubok lived in a small town inthe Ukraine, dreaming of the day she andher family could live in a free country.She arrived in the United States in May2006, and eight months later was workingin the office of a prominent dermatolo-gist in Northeast Philadelphia

Oksana, 34, is married to Ihor and theyhave a young son, Illya. They reside inNortheast Philadelphia. In her nativecountry Oksana was a Russian languageteacher. After arriving in Philadelphia,the County Assistance Office referred herto JEVS Center for New Americans.Staff there helped Oksana find employ-ment, improve her English languageskills, and upgrade her computer skills.

The JEVS Center for New Americanshelps refugees, asylees, and victims oftrafficking prepare to enter the workforce,find satisfying jobs ranging from laborto professional positions, and becomeself-sufficient members of society.Participants benefit from attendingVocational English Language Training(VELT) classes, acculturation workshops

and computer literacy classes. They alsoreceive case management services andattend interviewing, resume-writing, andjob readiness and retention workshops.

Oksana used every opportunity that theCenter for New Americans offered tolearn how to find a job that would connecther with the Russian-speaking community.She wanted to help others from her homecountry in the same way she was helpedby the program. Oksana’s employmentcounselor, Yana Kanevsky, says, “Oksanaworked hard in class and was one of thebest students in both her vocationalEnglish and computer classes. She wastenacious and very proactive in her jobsearch, and always encouraged herclassmates to follow her example.”

With Yana’s help, Oksana began work onher résumé after living in Philadelphia forless than two months. She never waveredfrom her goal, which was for her family tobe self-sufficient and productive membersof the Northeast Philadelphia community.She never refused to go on a job interviewor to fill out a job application.

In January 2007, Oksana received acall from the office of Dr. Goldman, awell-respected dermatologist. He needed

Individuals Seeking Refuge in the United States

an administrative assistant and aninterpreter who could help with Russianspeaking patients. Oksana was offeredthe job after the first interview. When shecalled Yana to inform her about this greatopportunity, her voice was tremblingfrom joy. She enjoys working in the officeand feels good about helping Russianpatients better understand prescriptionsand directions from the doctor. Not onlyhad her dream come true, but her successhelped her decide to further her educationand attend classes at the CommunityCollege of Philadelphia.

For more informationCenter for New Americans • 215.728.4210

OtherAsiaCaribbeanMiddle EastFormer USSRAfrica

48.7% 43.5% 41.1%

18%

16.6%2.81%

2.16%

1.73%

1.1%

8.9%

15.1% 0.3%

Center for New Americans’ Clients, 2006-2007serving Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties

Refugee Stats for the United States 2007

U.S. refugee statistics from the Cultural Orientation Resource Center, www.cal.org/co.