When Rachelle turned 21, she knew that just focusing exclusively on college was not the direction she wanted her life to take at that time. Her family encouraged her to begin looking for employment and told her about an upcoming career fair. Rachelle attended the career fair, talked extensively to the Success Centers Outreach Coordinator (Employee of the Month from 2024, LaKista Coleman) and learned about our Young Adult Subsidized Employment (VASE) program. The program enticed her to pursue enrollment.
“I’d applied for so many jobs up to that point and heard nothing back. No interviews. Nothing. I think it was because I had no work experience and a blank resume. I’d become frustrated and knew that I needed some type of training opportunity to give myself a better advantage.”
Rachelle talked with Manuela Aviles, (another Employee of the Month from 2024) the YASE Program Manager who selected her to work as a YASE Program Assistant. In this role, Rachelle learned how to master the expectations and to be comfortable asking for assistance.
“Everyone in our office (Rachelle works at the One Stop Career Center at 1449 Webster Street) made me feel supported; mentored. They all provided me with assistance when I asked for help. They never made me feel as though I was annoying or that they were tired of me asking for help. No one made me feel like I didn’t belong there. Everyone was willing to teach and guide me along the way.”
Five months after becoming a part of the Success Centers family, Rachelle was promoted to Career Advisor. May 1st, 2025 marked her one-year anniversary in this role. Not bad for a soon to be 23-year-old!
Remember that this is Rachelle’s first job!
The most memorable experience that Rachelle has had was witnessing the construction training program February 2025 graduation (Held at the Success Centers Youth Hub on Jessie Street). In the last two weeks of the program, Rachelle helped the soon-to-be graduates with resume writing and career advising.
“I felt like a proud mom watching the graduates walk across the stage and pick up their certificates. One of the participants introduced Rachelle to a friend at the graduation who was a police officer. The officer shared that he provided his friend with career advice that he never took. He was amazed that his friend listened to Rachelle and her career advice and that the friend was taking action based on what she’d shared with him.
“I lack confidence because I am still learning, and I don’t have a lot of experience. Moments like that one proved to me that I am doing ok. I ask questions and research for answers to do my very best. Success Centers has taught me patience and how to listen closely. I want to learn everything about our clients to understand how I can best assist. I’ve learned to be empathetic to others and their journeys to us. I am learning to be more vocal and have a professional mature demeanor.”
Rachelle has a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for her manager, Manuela.
“She truly is the best supervisor! She continues to help me in my journey to become a good professional. She has lots of patience with me and my work; she knows how to correct and encourage me, helping me to do my best work.”
Rachelle was in an isolated and dark place prior to the start of her career with Success Centers. Working here has pulled Rachelle out of the slump and has aided in her professional and personal development.
As a proud Nicaraguan, Rachelle was born and raised in San Francisco. She’s an active swimmer, who loves to travel. Now that Rachelle’s career trajectory is pointed in the right direction, she is interested in completing the last two courses necessary to obtain her AA Degree in Psychology. Both family and coworkers encourage her to just do it!
On behalf of the Success Centers family, join us in a big CONGRATULATIONS to Rachelle Prado Pena on this prestigious honor! GO RACHELLE!
