Support That Builds New Beginnings

I first met Naamati, a recent immigrant from Jerusalem, when she was brought to one of our outreach events by a community immigrant navigator. She had come to the United States to visit her adult daughter, but when conflict escalated back home, her return flight was cancelled, and she suddenly found herself unable to return. At the event, I was presenting on caregiving, how to enter the field, and the training required to become certified.

With her background in caregiving and teaching cooking classes, she was eager to return to the work she knew best. I explained that her first step would be obtaining authorization to work in the U.S., and from then on, I stayed closely connected with her—checking in, helping her navigate each requirement. Once her authorization was approved, we met again and I helped her apply with both a caregiver agency and Consumer Direct Care Network of Washington. As a new driver with a donated car, she hoped to find clients close to home, and I supported her in identifying options that fit her needs.

Recruiting and Encouragement

Naamati began working with clients quickly and immediately showed her passion for caregiving. She provided reliable, respectful, and compassionate support, ensuring personal care needs were met with kindness. Her reputation grew within the apartment community where she worked, and soon many clients were asking how she could become their caregiver as well.
Because she couldn’t take on every request, she reached out to members of her Arabic community and others she had met—people she believed shared the same compassion and dedication. She brought several of them to me, and I helped each one begin the hiring process. It has been inspiring to watch her succeed in her own career while she helps others access the same opportunities.

Certification and Training

Although her English was still developing, Naamati was determined to strengthen her skills. She chose to complete her 70 hours of caregiver training in English, wanting to learn the terminology used in the field. After completing her training, she needed to take her knowledge and skills tests.
Working together with the refugee community navigator, I helped her get her exams scheduled and navigate the steps leading up to testing. Even with a few challenges, we made sure she had a smooth experience, and she passed.

Giving Back

As she settled into her role, Naamati was able to save money, purchase a reliable used car, and support her family. In a full circle moment, she passed along the car that had originally been donated to her—gifting it to a new immigrant who needed transportation for work.
She continues to give back by referring potential caregivers, mentoring new workers, and speaking in our Spokane job skills class. Watching her grow and uplift others is a powerful reminder of how steady support and connection can change someone’s path.

If you’re interested in a caregiving career, our Workforce Navigators are here to help. We offer free, individualized guidance to help you get started as a paid caregiver.