Get to know our students through a collection of stories, reflections, and experiences — some shared in their own words — that show the meaningful impact MUA has on their lives, their families, and their futures.
Get to know our students through a collection of stories, reflections, and experiences — some shared in their own words — that show the meaningful impact MUA has on their lives, their families, and their futures.
Ana joined MUA’s technology classes hoping to feel more confident using a computer. What she didn’t expect was how quickly those new skills would impact her family’s livelihood. Her husband and brother-in-law ran a small landscaping business, and with Ana’s help, it began to grow.
“Before MUA, I didn’t even know how to make a Word document. But the technology classes gave me skills I use every day now—designing flyers, posting on Facebook, even making logos and business cards. I helped rebrand our landscaping business and started managing the social media page. Now we’re getting more clients than ever. MUA gave me the power to support my family in a whole new way. I’m not just learning—I’m contributing.”
Fatima, a single mother of two, came to MUA while living in a shelter. She had limited English skills and no formal work experience in the U.S. But she had a dream: to create a better life for her family.
“Before I joined MUA’s program, I felt invisible. I didn’t speak the language, and I didn’t think anyone would hire me. But the English classes and Home Health Aide training at MUA gave me confidence—and a career. They even helped me with job interviews and connected me with an agency that hired me full-time. Now I can support my kids, and we just moved into our own apartment.”
Maria dropped out of high school to care for her younger siblings. Years later, as a mother herself, she knew she needed more to give her family a better future. MUA offered her a way forward—with no judgment.
“Coming back to school in my 30s was scary. But MUA made it possible. I started with English classes and computer workshops, and then completed the phlebotomy program. The support I received—connection to reduced-cost MBTA passes, free toiletries, and job placement help—meant I could focus on learning. Now, I’m working at a lab, and my daughter says she wants to be like me when she grows up.”
Nadège immigrated to Boston from Haiti several years after the 2010 earthquake uprooted her life. As a Haitian Creole speaker with limited English and no formal U.S. work experience, she struggled to find her footing. When she discovered MUA, everything began to shift. She started with English classes and eventually enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) training program.
“MUA understood what it meant to start over. The staff welcomed me with open arms, and I never felt judged. At first, I didn’t believe I could succeed in a professional program, but MUA provided the support I needed—language help, job readiness workshops, and so much encouragement. Today, I’m working full-time at a pediatric clinic where I can support families in both English and Creole. MUA helped me turn uncertainty into pride.”
Diego grew up in Boston after his family immigrated from El Salvador. He left high school at 17 to work full-time and help support his younger siblings. For years, he bounced between low-wage jobs, feeling like he had missed his chance. When he learned about MUA’s evening HiSET program, everything changed.
“I always wanted to finish school, but life kept getting in the way. MUA’s night classes gave me a second chance. I could still work during the day and study at night. The teachers really cared—they didn’t give up on me, even when I wanted to give up on myself. After I got my HiSET, MUA helped me build a resume and apply for better jobs. Now I’m working full-time as a dispatcher, and I’m finally able to help my family without feeling stuck. MUA gave me the tools—and the push—I needed.”
Sara’s journey to MUA began after escaping an abusive relationship with her two young children. She was referred to MUA by a local shelter and enrolled in both English and HiSET classes while receiving one-on-one counseling through MUA’s partnerships. Staff helped her access diapers, food resources, and mental health support. Slowly, Sara regained confidence. She now has her HiSET diploma and is working toward a career in early childhood education. “I used to feel invisible,” she shared. “But at MUA, people saw me. They helped me build something new for my children and myself.”
When Yasmin, her husband, and their two young children—one in kindergarten and one still in diapers—were placed in a single-room hotel through the emergency shelter system, life was a daily test of endurance. With no kitchen, limited space, and growing uncertainty, Yasmin knew she needed to act quickly to build a better future for her family.
She came to MUA hoping to improve her English but soon found so much more. MUA welcomed Yasmin into the Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) training program and enrolled her toddler in our onsite childcare, where he received healthy snacks, early literacy support, and a safe place to play while she attended class. Staff also helped Yasmin advocate for her kindergartener, connecting her to a BPS family liaison who assisted with after-school program placement, free meal access, and a school backpack drive.
That winter, MUA selected Yasmin’s family for our Adopt-A-Family program. Thanks to the generosity of a corporate donor, the family received warm winter coats, toys, and grocery support—making the holidays joyful despite difficult circumstances. “That support meant everything,” Yasmin shared. “It reminded me that we weren’t alone—and that someone believed in us.”
Now nearing completion of her CMA certification, Yasmin is preparing for her externship and already receiving job placement support from MUA’s job training coordinator. Her family recently transitioned out of the hotel into more stable housing. “MUA changed everything for us,” she said. “I came for education—but I found hope, dignity, and a path forward.”
When Rosa first walked into MUA’s digital literacy class, she barely knew how to turn on a computer. A Spanish speaker who had spent most of her adult life in retail and cleaning jobs, she felt intimidated by technology and unsure she could keep up. But she showed up every day—determined to learn something new.
With patience, practice, and support from MUA instructors, Rosa began to build her confidence. She learned how to write emails, navigate Google Docs, and format résumés. Most of all, she worked hard to improve her typing speed—starting with just a few words per minute and steadily increasing her pace.
By the end of the course, Rosa had the highest words-per-minute score among a pool of job applicants at a local nonprofit. She was hired for a bilingual front desk position—answering phones, managing appointments, and supporting Spanish-speaking clients with professionalism and warmth. “I never thought I could work in an office,” Rosa shared. “Now I’m the first face people see when they walk in the door—and I know I belong.”
