This Way onward Success Stories

SABRIN Zahid - 2018 This Way ONward (formerly known as This way ahead) Graduate

Just before Sabrin Zahid, a resident of Somerville Housing Authority, turned 16 she joined This Way Ahead’s job training program. Equipped with enthusiasm, but very little professional work experience, she excelled in the workshops and developed her leadership skills and confidence. Upon a successful internship at Banana Republic in 2018, she was hired into a permanent position. Since then, she’s used the skills she learned from This Way Ahead to procure job at Tatte Bakery & Cafe and in 2019 as a Program Assistant with This Way Ahead. She is planning to pursue a college degree in environmental science next year.

DAEJOHN Bynoe - 2016 This Way oNward (formerly known as This way ahead) Graduate

As a busy high school junior and athlete in 2015, Daejohn Bynoe made the tough decision to focus on athletics instead of gaining employment through This Way Ahead. However, in 2016 he came back doubly committed to land his first job. Daejohn was shy at first and spoke quietly, but he was determined to push out of his comfort zone and always asked for feedback to grow. After his 10-week-long internship at Banana Republic on Newbury Street, they offered him a permanent position. Due to his experience with This Way Ahead, Daejohn has now worked at Banana Republic for more than three years and is a highly sought after retail associate. He has picked up other retail jobs along the way and in 2019, as a This Way Ahead Program Assistant, he helped prepare a new cohort of This Way Ahead youth to be as successful as he was in the program.