Losing My Dream Job Led Me to My Purpose

It all started sometime between May and June of last year — a season that felt full of promise.

I had the opportunity to apply for a position I was deeply passionate about: an HIV Peer Navigator with Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, under the Marion County Public Health Department. It was more than a job to me. It was a calling — a way to serve my community, uplift others, and speak from a place of lived experience.

After the interview, I was offered the position. My start date was set for October 15, 2024. I completed the required medical tests, got my photo taken for my badge, and was nearly ready to begin.

I began to see just how much strength, resilience, and purpose I carried within me.

Then came a roadblock I never saw coming.

I was asked to submit my I-9 documents, and that's when I was told something that broke my heart: the role required a valid driver's license — something I didn't have. In fact, I didn't even know how to drive.

In that moment, I felt crushed. But something inside me refused to give up.

Determined not to let the opportunity slip away, I made up my mind to get a driver's license. It wasn't easy. In September 2024, I passed the BMV written test and received my learner's permit. I didn't have anyone to teach me at first, but God sent help through a kind sister from my church. She offered to teach me — but went even further. She paid in full for me to enroll in a professional driving academy. It was expensive, and I'll never forget her sacrifice. May God always remember her and bless her and her family.

Even after finishing the academy, I still struggled. I had no access to a car, which meant I couldn't practice often. I felt stuck again.

One day, during another round of job hunting, I took the bus and walked from place to place, looking for anything available. I eventually got a job at the Walmart Deli Department, just a 7-minute walk from my apartment.

That same day, something unexpected caught my eye — a big roadside billboard that read: "Indiana School of Certified Nursing Assistants." 

I remembered the encouragement I had received from Mrs. Elizabeth, a kind woman I met at the ANAC conference in Indianapolis. That entire opportunity had been made possible through The Well Project, who helped me with registration and linkage. She reminded me of something I held close:

"Start small — because you have a big dream. You want to become a nurse."

Inspired by her words, I walked into the school to ask what it would take to enroll. I found a way to pay, signed up, and began the program.

It's about reclaiming purpose, embracing personal growth, and learning to see setbacks as setups for something greater.

For someone who had once dropped out of high school, this was a mountain to climb. But I was determined. I studied hard and stayed committed. And to my own surprise, I began to see just how much strength, resilience, and purpose I carried within me.

Throughout this journey, The Well Project continued to be a powerful source of encouragement. Their support gave me strength, confidence, and the courage to keep going — especially when I felt overwhelmed or alone.

In March 2025, I passed both the school and state exams and officially became a Certified Nursing Assistant. And in April, I began working as a Nurse Aide. What once felt like rejection in October 2024 turned out to be redirection toward something even more meaningful.

My journey isn't just about employment. It's about reclaiming purpose, embracing personal growth, and learning to see setbacks as setups for something greater.

I now stand as a CNA — proud, prepared, and positioned to care for others with compassion and strength.

To anyone who feels stuck, lost, or overlooked: Keep going. Your breakthrough might just be one bold step away.

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