Meet IU13 Community Education Alumni

Rafael came to every training session that was available to complete his Robotics in Manufacturing courses.  He did not miss an opportunity to make progress.  He was released from Lancaster County Prison (LCP) before he finished his training and was tasked with finishing it on his own at home.  He passed his Certification test.  Rafael went back to work at his dad’s garage as a mechanic while pursuing new opportunities in manufacturing.  He applied to four different jobs as a Maintenance Mechanic and got four interviews.  He accepted a job with Stryten Energy as a Machine Mechanic.  Typically, they start at $22.95 with no experience, but since he had the Robotics Certification he was hired on at $25.65/hour + $1.80 night shift differential.  Rafael left Stryten in November of 2024.  Rafael accepted a position with Treehouse Foods also as a Maintenance Mechanic making $32.45/hour.   It is a union company and Rafael is enjoying it.

Hello, my name is Patrick Kreider, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share today on behalf of the Steinman Foundation, Lancaster County STEM Alliance, and IU13. I want to take a moment to share how the Career Training Program at Lancaster County Prison gave me not just technical skills, but also a sense of purpose and direction during one of the most difficult times in my life.

When I was incarcerated, I wasn’t just facing time behind bars—I was also separated from my fiancée and our two sons. At the time, our oldest was just under a year old, and my fiancée was expecting our second child, who came into this world while I was still incarcerated. Missing those early moments, and not being there to support my family, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. I knew I couldn’t change the past, but I also knew that when I got out, I wanted to be a better man for them. I didn’t want to waste the time I had—I wanted to use it to build a future.

That’s where the Career Training Program came in. It wasn’t just about earning a certification—it was about proving to myself and my family that I was committed to change. That I could come out of this experience with the skills and mindset to provide for them and set a better example. This program gave me a purpose when I could have easily fallen into hopelessness. It allowed me to focus on something productive—something that would help me walk out of those doors ready to rebuild my life.

When I first enrolled, the program started with employment soft skills—things that might seem simple but are essential to getting and keeping a job. We covered everything from professional communication and time management to workplace expectations. We learned how to build a strong résumé, prepare for interviews, and develop the kind of mindset employers look for—reliability, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. For many of us, these skills were just as important as the technical training because they prepared us to reenter the workforce with confidence.

After completing the soft skills portion, I had 12 weeks to work through the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) Certification, which was provided through Tooling U-SME. The program was intense but incredibly rewarding. It covered the fundamentals of manufacturing, including safety protocols, measurement and inspection techniques, quality control, and production processes. We learned about materials, machining, and even basic automation, all through an online platform that allowed us to move at our own pace. Completing this certification not only gave me valuable knowledge but also a credential that showed employers I was serious about working in manufacturing.
Earning the CMfgA certification was a turning point for me. It helped me secure my current job at Finzer Roller. The certificate not only demonstrated my new skills—it also showed that I used my incarceration as a chance to grow. At Finzer Roller, I began working as a Finish Grinder, grinding urethane rolls to precise specifications, designs, and finishes, and ensuring quality before they leave our shop. Just six months into my career, I have been promoted to Production Manager—a role that reflects the hard work I’ve put in since being released, and the confidence my employer has in my ability to lead, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the company’s success.

But most importantly, this program gave me something meaningful to focus on while incarcerated. Instead of just serving time, I was investing in my future. It gave me a reason to push forward—to believe that I could come out on the other side of incarceration with real opportunities.

Programs like this change lives. They provide a bridge between incarceration and employment, giving people like me the chance to rebuild and contribute to our communities. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities this program has given me, and I hope that by sharing my story, it helps ensure programs like this continue to grow and reach more people who need them. Everyone deserves a second chance, and I hope more individuals get the same opportunity to turn their lives around.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you.

In 1996, Colombia, South America native Patricia Roldan had the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. She understood no English other than her name and country. She learned about IU13 from a friend and, when she moved to Pennsylvania to live with her and her family, she signed up for classes.

Patricia enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) as well as High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) classes, where she met Tim Shenk, an ESL teacher at the time and current Program Director, with whom she’s still in contact today. When asked about her experience with IU13 Community Education, Patricia responded, “I would like to express gratefulness to all of you at IU13 who contributed to my learning of English basics–my abc’s and 1,2,3s–who worked so hard with long hours disregarding the amount of hours…. To those whose goal was to teach and give the best tools possible for us, the students, to be able to communicate essential needs.”

When she lived in Colombia, Patricia earned degrees in hospital administration and integrative medicine, but her education was not recognized in the US. She decided to become a registered nurse (RN) and earned a diploma from the former Lancaster General Hospital’s School of Nursing in 2005. As an RN, Patricia worked as a staff nurse in medical surgical, telemetry and step-down intensive care units. She also gained experience in independent living facilities, skilled care, and hospice services.

With a personal healthcare philosophy based on mental and physical wellness, and after witnessing the concerns of others, Patricia has chosen to become a private patient advocate. She provides independent personalized nursing care and advocacy services to her clients at the time they need it with a whole-person approach in mind. Patricia also founded her own company that delivers skilled nursing care and support services.

Patricia has the professional qualifications to help individuals remain safely in their own home for as long as possible, or until they achieve complete recovery. She promotes wellness and empowers her clients to manage their health. Of her entrepreneurship, Patricia notes, “I feel proud of myself and my husband Andrey, whom I met at IU13, for all our accomplishments as small business owners. It has been challenging, but fulfilling. We would not be where we are today if IU13 had not given us the tools.”

Patricia’s hope is to create awareness for immigrants and challenge them to achieve their career goals, regardless of their situation. When asked what advice she would give to potential adult learners, she replied, “I invite others like me who came new to the country (United States) to reach out to IU13 to seek assistance and work diligently in acquiring the new language. It requires time, patience, humility, and dedication, but in the end it will benefit you, your family, and the community. You will be able to a certain level express your needs, communicate with others and offer comfort to many who are in need. Learning the language will help you achieve your dreams and personal goals, which will give you more quality of life.”

Patricia points out that language skills are necessary not only to survive, but also to be able to function well within the community. “To this day, after 26 years of living here, I continue to face challenges with the language. I realize I will never be able to express myself fully as many of you who were born and raised in this country.”

To those who have benefited from classes, Patricia urges them to contribute to the mission of IU13 by advocating for funding: “My wish is for the government to support adult education and look at it as an investment…. Also, for them to create other programs that provide additional support to those of us who try to succeed in our endeavors and professions that bring support to the community.”

As a recent college graduate, Zach was looking for training programs that not only appealed to him but also offered job advancement opportunities. He attended Word of Life Bible Institute and received a two-year certificate, which he planned to use to help his local church and his community. He wanted to do more, however, so he researched other fields that would work well with the certificate he already had.

He finally decided to pursue a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), as his grandfather, father, and numerous friends and family members had worked as truck drivers. A CDL license would allow him to help people move in and out of homes and apartments, take local and on-the-road jobs, and be home on the weekends to serve in his church.

Through his church, Zach learned about IU13 Community Education and reached out to start the licensing process. IU13 staff enrolled him in CDL training, providing the necessary resources. “The people I worked with along the way have been greatly helpful and supportive of me from start to finish,” Zach said. “IU13 allowed me to get the training necessary to pursue my desired careers.”

Zach completed an entry-level driver training course in March 2022 and is now the proud holder of a Class A Commercial Driver’s License.

Watum was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2003, his parents moved to Uganda because of war. As a refugee, he faced many challenges, including lack of education.

When he came to the United States in 2018, he joined an English as a Second Language (ESL) class to improve his English. After a year of ESL instruction, Watum transitioned into high school equivalency classes and earned his GED in June 2021. During that time, he connected with staff at CareerLink for assistance finding employment and learning about training opportunities.

Today, Watum works at Lancaster General Health and hopes his story will encourage anyone who’s interested in learning English to reach out to IU13.

Since he passed the GED exams, Jose has found a higher-paying job, started college coursework, and acquired an unshakeable sense of accomplishment. “I feel so proud of myself,” he says. Though studying for the exam demanded a great deal of time and energy, “It was worth the effort, worth the push.”

In early 2014 Jose joined an IU13 Family Literacy class at Carol B. Winters Head Start Center in Lancaster. It had been 12 years since he dropped out of high school at age 18, but he entered the classroom with a strong and singular motivation – to earn his GED. “I needed to set a goal for myself, and I put nothing ahead of it,” he said.

Jose immediately sensed that his classmates had grown discouraged over the challenges of the GED. Although the new version of the GED, which was launched in 2014, is more rigorous than previous versions, Jose didn’t let that discourage him.

“He motivated other students and pushed them to progress,” said his IU13 instructor, Leesa McAnally. “Jose student a great deal outside of class and would come in with questions for me.”

Jose’s hard work paid off when he passed the GED exam that summer. Shortly afterward he found significantly higher-paying work operating an industrial sewing machine. In an effort to continue his education, Jose also starting taking classes at a local community college.

Passing the GED “opened more than one door,” said Jose, “and they continue to open.”

One of the young learners benefiting from IU13 Community Education is 13-year-old Binit.  Since arriving in Lancaster as a refugee in April 2014, Binit has participated in English conversation classes, after-school activities, and a summer educational program.

These activities are all coordinated through the Refugee Center and Community School at Reynolds Middle School in Lancaster, where Binit is a student. In addition to improving their communication skills, Community School participants “get to make friends and network with other refugees in Lancaster, which helps to increase their social adjustment,” says Josh McManness, Community School Liaison. IU13 Community Education is lead agency for the Refugee Center and Community School at Reynolds, which provides community-based support services for refugees and immigrants in need, school families, and the Lancaster City community, particularly those with limited access to resources.

These services help community members succeed in their roles as workers, family members, and citizens. In the case of young Binit, the investment is paying off. “Binit likes living in the United States,” says his mother, Sipra Gajemir. “It’s good that he’s getting educated. It will help him in the future.”