Sharike – New York
LIFT-NY member Sharike has become a master of changing courses and adapting.
Arriving in New York City in 2015 from St. Vincent and The Grenadines was her first major hurdle. She worked to gain stability and, after a few years in courtrooms, was granted asylum through the Violence Against Women Act. Through all of this, she was also mothering her newborn, Vincent, born in 2017.
Sharike was used to hard work, having started working at age 15, eventually owning her own business in the Caribbean while managing a restaurant. “I always just wanted to work, so I didn’t go to college. When I moved, it was a transition. I realized the things I wanted I couldn’t do as a chef. So, I went to college to learn construction administration. But being a parent, going to college, and working to make ends meet is hard.”
Despite this incredible challenge, Sharike managed to get financially stable, obtain stable housing, be an amazing single mom to her son, and graduate with a 3.44 GPA with a degree in business management – all during the height of the pandemic.
Balancing education with work and parenthood proved challenging for Sharike. “Self-care was the most important thing. LIFT came in at a point where I was struggling. Mentally, I was struggling. Financially, I was struggling. It saved me.”
It was during this time that Sharike was introduced to LIFT through connections at her federal workstudy program at Baruch College. “It was a game changer.” She worked with her LIFT coach to not only set and accomplish her academic and financial goals but to learn how to balance her work life, time with her son and class time, as well as re-prioritizing her mental health. Connecting her with resources like therapy and the Family Goal Fund helped her cover some of her monthly expenses and reclaim time with her son.
Looking back, she can see just how far she’s come, having earned several certificates and a degree in construction management.
Now they can focus on their future. Sharike hopes to eventually own her own restaurant, preferably a B&B, so she can share her love of food. She also hopes to see her son grow into a good adult, doing what he loves to do, and she hopes that seeing her complete her education will encourage him to finish school and go to college as well.
“LIFT lifts you. The higher you want to go, the higher they will lift you.”
Read more stories like Sharike and learn more about LIFT’s work in our latest Annual Report.