Rogelio Molina’s Story
My name is Rogelio Molina and I live in St. Charles, MN. I am a husband and the father of two sons, an eleven year old and a 17 year old, both attending schools in the St. Charles Public Schools system. My parents and in-laws are also living here with me as well.
For many years, I worked at North Star Foods, Inc. and was the only source of income for my family. A devastating event on April 17, 2009, took that job from me and any others who found work at the plant. The fire at North Star Food, Inc. drove many Hispanic families and individuals away from the St. Charles area. Those who were not tied down here with family moved to other cities to seek work. I stayed in hope that North Star will open once again and provide me with another job opportunity.
Right away after the fire, Project FINE provided me with information regarding the MN Unemployment Insurance program and helped me file for benefits. They also helped me search for other job openings that would hire me with my current skills and abilities. I started a job at Hilltop Poultry in Utica, but that was not enough to support my family and the bills. Just recently, Project FINE connected me with a different employer in Altura, MN called Primera Foods. The drive is not as pleasant for me, but I do like the job as it provides me with better income.
I thank Project FINE for all of their time and support, especially during the times of struggle.
LEE Xiong’s Story
My name is Lee Xiong. My family came to this country from Laos because we supported the United States during the Vietnam War. I am single mother of 13 children, including seven who live with me. My family moved from Hennepin County to the Winona area in June 2008. when I first moved here, Project FINE took me into their arms and provided me with their interpreting services and advocated for my family by helping us find housing; connecting me with public services; helping my children enroll in school; finding employment for my son; and meeting many more of my family’s needs.
My children are very shy, but Project FINE introduced us to the Diversity Youth Quest program and they made friends quickly. My children come home and tell me of all the great things that they learned through the program events. One of my biggest concerns regards my 18 year old son who is hard of hearing and needs to have a sign language interpreter. Project FINE has helped remedy this situation by providing interpreting services for his appointments.
I am very grateful for all of the things that Project FINE has done for my family. Thank you.
In 2008, Kay* became the first local female Hmong recipient of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license. Over the last several years, Project FINE had helped her and her family with human service and educational needs. About three years ago, staff approached her family to encourage the young adults of the family to go back to school in order to obtain specialized training skills and expand their career options and opportunities.
At first, no one in the family was interested. Later that same year, however, Kay and her husband Chong* both decided to go back to school. The staff at Project FINE worked with this young couple to help them discover their education options. Once they decided to pursue careers in the nursing and criminal justice fields, they began the application process to several technical colleges in the area. After a lengthy correspondence between Project FINE, the couple and the colleges, they finally decided on Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical in Winona. Project FINE helped the couple to register and plan their courses, and regularly checked on their education progress.
A year later, Chong transferred to Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI, and will soon graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Kay finished her studies at Southeast Technical, completed her Diploma in Practical Nursing and went on to take the State Licensed Practical Nursing exam.
When she failed the exam the first time, she was very discouraged. However, the staff at Project FINE encouraged her to take the exam again and assured her that not everyone passed the exam on their first attempt. They also helped her find other ways she could study for the exam, either on her own or with the assistance of some of her former classmates. Additionally, they encouraged Chong to continue to be supportive of Kay, and help with more work around the house, in order for her to have minimal distractions as she studied for the exams.
The second time she took it, Kay passed the licensure exam!. She credits Project FINE’s help as being very important in passing the exam. She is now working in the healthcare field in Winona, and she and Chong recently became the proud parents of their third child.Add Content...