In December we shared the story of Dr. Ahmed Lazim, a gifted surgeon from Mosul, Iraq forced to flee his home due to threats from ISIS terrorists after his brother had served with the U.S. Armed Forces. Dr. Lazim had begun working with our new Vocational Counseling program and was on his way to finding a job in the field of medicine.
The past few months have been good for Dr. Lazim. Working with his professional mentor, Dr. Lillian Shapiro – a longtime supporter of New American Pathways – Dr. Lazim discovered he needed to build his certifications to work in his chosen field, and was able to do so quickly with his past experience. Early this winter, Dr. Lazim secured a job with Piedmont Hospital, working in phlebotomy. With the support of Dr. Shapiro and the incredible Vocational Counseling program, Dr. Lazim is now happily working in his field and bringing his incredible skills to his new community.
The Vocational Counseling program serves dozens of men and women like Dr. Lazim every month. Skilled refugees forced to leave their homes who have many gifts to bring to the Atlanta area. The new program is looking to expand by finding more mentors like Dr. Shapiro who want to help a skilled refugee navigate the job field in Atlanta. If you are interested in providing mentorship for a skilled refugee, please contact Melodie Rodgers to offer your support.