Providing an Essential Lifeline for William

William moved to Boulder from South Sudan in 2016 after a nine-year long-distance relationship with his fiancé. She was one of the “Lost Girls of Sudan” who was moved out of a refugee camp and resettled in Boulder by Lutheran Family Services and Congregation Har HaShem in 2007. Rabbi Deborah Bronstein, Congregation Har HaShem, and the Boulder Jewish community helped pay for the women’s flights to the U.S., found them work and housing, provided food, and welcomed them into this country.

It took years for William’s fiancé to gather all the necessary paperwork and visa for him to come to the United States, and she finally succeeded five years ago. The couple was married in 2017 and they now have three children, ages three, two, and four months.

William with his new Surface Pro

William has a degree in finance and worked in a bank in South Sudan for three years, but “those don’t mean anything in this country,” he explains. “I had to take whatever job I could to make sure my family could eat.” He is working as a school custodian while taking online classes to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree.

Since he arrived in Boulder, William and Rabbi Bronstein have become close family friends and help each other out whenever they can. Recently, William shared with her that he and his family had been struggling after he had surgery a few months ago. Rabbi Bronstein suggested he contact JFS Boulder to see what assistance they could provide. William spoke with Stuart Feinhor, programs coordinator and care manager, who discovered that a computer would greatly help William’s family.

When doctors’ appointments; physical, speech, and occupational therapy; school; and virtually everything move online due to a pandemic, a computer is an essential lifeline. Within a week, Stuart secured a donated Surface Pro through the local Tech to Connect program. He also referred William to Heather Seiden, the JFS employment program coordinator at the Denver office, who is helping William improve his résumé and search for jobs.

“I appreciate JFS getting me the laptop and providing helpful information,” shares William. “I hope that in the future we can continue to be in touch, hear each other’s views, and assist each other in any way we can.” He adds that JFS is a resource he knows he can count on. “I read the website and stay informed about what you do and see the jobs available. Maybe in the future I can apply for a job with JFS!”