Ronisha was raised by a young single mother alongside five younger siblings, and grew up watching resilience in action. Her mom built a life rooted in perseverance despite never completing high school.“She made it work no matter what,” Ronisha reflects.
Now a single mother herself, raising her own son, Ronisha was determined to chart a different path for the next generation.
She became the first in her family to complete her education, all while raising her son into young adulthood. Ronisha takes pride in the example she set for her son and her younger siblings: that it’s never too late to pursue your goals.
Ronisha’s journey hasn’t been easy. Without a strong support system or family members who had attended college, navigating the path toward a better life felt overwhelming. Then she came across an Opportunity Junction flyer at her local unemployment office, setting in motion the changes toward the career fulfilment and success she had always dreamed about.
She joined Opportunity Junction’s Roadmap (formerly its youth program), in 2015, and it sparked something powerful within her. “It made me think, ‘I can do this,’” she says. She earned certifications in Business Accounting and Small Business Operations that helped her secure a job as a bank teller—and, just two years later, she was promoted to banker.
Her progress was interrupted when a challenging workplace experience impacted her well-being, leading her to make the difficult decision to step away from her role. She took on interim roles in retail and caregiving, but neither felt like the right fit. She turned toward a goal she had put off for years: enrolling in Opportunity Junction’s Administrative Careers Training (ACT) program.
Completing the administrative program became a turning point, launching not only a new career but a new chapter in her life. Beyond gaining practical administrative skills, she rebuilt her confidence and found her voice. “I learned to speak up for myself,” she shares. “The staff believed in me and encouraged me every step of the way.”
After graduating, Ronisha stayed connected to OJ, first as a volunteer at the front desk and then later as a Teacher’s Aide, supporting others who were walking a path she had just traveled herself. “I loved being able to give back,” she says. “To help someone else feel like they can do it too.”
Soon after, Ronisha secured a weekend role as a receptionist. Her professionalism and strong work ethic were quickly recognized, earning her a full-time position within just two months.
Today, Ronisha is thriving. She’s found a job she loves, but also a workplace where she feels respected, valued, and supported.
“I have everything I want,” she says. “A workplace where I’m valued for who I am and what I bring, a job close to home that gives me work-life balance, and a chance to heal and build a new chapter for me and my family.”
Ronisha has rediscovered her love for roller skating—something that always brought her joy. Now she spends her free time skating, laughing, and making memories with her family and her niece.
Her journey is one of resilience, growth, and rediscovery. And through it all, Ronisha continues to prove that it is never too late to start again—and to build a life you truly love.
