When Talent Shines Through
ONE MAN’S TALENT IS UNDENIABLE WHEN LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT CAREER PATH
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
God gifts talents that allow people to impact the lives of others in their own unique way. Sometimes those talents and traits radiate from within and are prevalent even when meeting someone for the first time.
Friend of The Hope Center and refugee, Hondi Placide, radiates God’s love - lighting up a room. Hondi is a refugee, coming to The United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a background in education.
Jewel Yokie, Senior Manager of The Hope Center, met with Hondi within the first few weeks of his arrival to the United States. He came to her with a desire to join the workforce at whatever cost, no matter the job. “I explained to him that he may have to work a manual job in the beginning stages of his resettlement, but this never discouraged him.”
For months, Hondi worked filling and packing boxes for a local manufacturer. He worked tirelessly but with immense pride until the company struck hardship and had to lay off several employees, including Hondi.
As always, God untangles tough situations for us even if we can’t see his efforts right away. Following Hondi’s lay-off, he met with Jewel for a second time looking for work similar to his previous manufacturing role. However, this time Hondi’s gifts were brought to light and she saw something special within. “During our second conversation, I realized Hondi possessed a gift that had been overlooked. He was a gifted teacher back home, and still possesses those skills and characteristics. It’s at this time it became clear what was next in store for him – he needed to get back in the classroom.”
After meeting with Jewel following his lay-off in manufacturing, he was introduced to the idea of working in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). The hurdle between him and becoming an educator in the U.S. was his French-written diploma. He would have to take and pass an exam to become a paraprofessional in the U.S. The last time Hondi was in the classroom setting as a student was when he finished school in the DRC in 1991. In order to pass the exam, he would find himself back in the seat of a student, this time in a new country, studying math, reading and writing.
The test lasted two hours, and because of his dedication to finding his way back to educating, he passed. “It reminded me what it is like to struggle for something I really wanted to do – to work hard and to challenge myself,” Hondi shared, recalling what a challenge it was to pass the 90-minute exam. “I was the last one to turn in my exam on the day of the test. When I found out I passed, I cried to the man who presented my grades and the great news to me. I was so happy!”
“Hondi’s new employment with CMSD as a Paraprofessional is cause for great joy at The Hope Center,” Jewel says, with pride for her new friend. He will be working as a substitute paraprofessional at CMSD, assisting the students and teachers. These “everyday miracles” are part-and-parcel for Jewel’s role at BHITC. Last year, she helped place more than 100 refugees into new or better job positions thanks to BHITC’s many employment partners. The Hope Center’s English classes and digital literacy sessions equip many newcomers like Hondi for meaningful participation in our local economy.
“I was encouraged by The Hope Center to accomplish this and the staff telling me that I did not have to be afraid. This is Jewel’s success. This is the staff’s success. This is The Hope Center’s success. This is my success. Their encouragement is what allowed me to be successful. I am known here at The Hope Center and I am so grateful,” Hondi said with excitement. “I can’t wait to get to know the students. I hope to help them understand their talents and use them for their own success.”
