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Before discovering Rubicon, Raynita Lewis felt truly lost. "I was all over the place, unsure of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go," she recalls. Her grueling job as a security guard defined Raynita's life, making for a dehumanizing experience that reduced her to a uniform instead of a person. Lacking resources and a vital support system, she yearned for a different path offering dignity and purpose.
Hope arrived in the form of Rubicon Programs, where Raynita enrolled in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. More than a program, this was a turning point for her. WIOA provided Raynita with crucial resources, and more importantly, it ignited a profound sense of self-belief. "It gave me the resources and confidence to know I can do anything I put my heart to," she explains. Hearing the success stories of others within the program deeply motivated Raynita by showing her that if they could overcome challenges, so could she.
Raynita's career coach, Diana Bonilla, played a pivotal role in her journey. Beyond offering guidance, Diana became Raynita's unwavering advocate and a beacon of support. "Miss Diana helped me so much, just being there, she believed in me when no one else did!" Raynita shares. Diana expanded Raynita's horizons, revealing opportunities far beyond the confines of her previous work. When others doubted Raynita, Diana stood firm and always had her back. Rubicon's consistent support reinforced her trust in the program, and Raynita knew they would never abandon her.
Today, Raynita Lewis stands tall as Resident Administrator for a property management company, a testament to her perseverance and the transformative power of the help she received. But her journey doesn't stop there. Raynita is committed to continuous growth. She recently completed her certificate to become a community health worker and is now pursuing an Associate's Degree in Public Health, with aspirations to earn her Bachelor's Degree in the same field. Her goal is clear: to leverage her education and help others in meaningful ways, paying forward the support she once received.
Raynita’s message to anyone feeling stuck is powerful and profound: "If I can do it, so can you. Your past is not your present. You chose your path in life. I felt stuck, and now I don't!" Her story is a vibrant reminder that— with the right resources, unwavering support, and a renewed sense of self-worth— anyone can rewrite their narrative and step onto a path of limitless possibilities.
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