Pathways to Recovery - Opioid Grant
Malena Velazquez
Rebuilding Her Healthcare Career
Hudson County
As a doctor in Cuba, Malena Velazquez dedicated her life to caring for others. Restrictions on her freedom and professional opportunities, however, prevented her from building the life and career she envisioned.
Determined to seek a better future, Malena made the courageous decision to leave Cuba and begin again in the United States. Despite her extensive medical background, she had to navigate a new healthcare system, overcome language barriers, and find a practical way to re-enter the workforce.
Malena’s medical knowledge remained a strong foundation, while her resilience gave her the courage to start over.
A Pathway Back Into Healthcare
Malena’s breakthrough came through the Pathways to Recovery Grant at Urban WorkForce Advantage. The program provided the support and resources she needed to understand the American workforce and pursue a healthcare credential that could put her experience and compassion back to work.
Earning Her CNA Certification
Through the grant, Malena trained to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). Her hard work and dedication paid off when she passed the certification exam, giving her a recognized credential and a new way to continue caring for others in the United States.
A New Chapter at Hudson View
Today, Malena is employed at Hudson View Rehab Center, earning $20 per hour. Her journey from practicing medicine in Cuba to becoming a certified professional in the U.S. healthcare field reflects both her adaptability and her unwavering commitment to helping others.
The Power of Resilience
Malena’s story shows that even the most difficult obstacles can be overcome with courage, opportunity, and the right support. By building on her experience while embracing a new path, she created a life and career rooted in freedom, purpose, and possibility.
