Lorah Macharia moved to the United States from Kenya in July 2023. “You cannot imagine what it’s like to uproot your life, packing everything into two suitcases. I didn’t have any family here, everything was different for me,” she explained.
With a background in nursing, Lorah hoped to get her nursing accreditation but experienced delay after delay with her paperwork. In the meantime, she was struggling financially in jobs that were not paying enough and had a long commute. A friend told her about PA Women Work’s RISE program, and she decided to reach out.
Kristen, PA Women Work’s RISE program manager, supported Lorah with the nursing accreditation process and helped her look for more stable positions in the meantime. “When I got connected with Kristen, I was really struggling. She just kept checking in and encouraging me. She didn’t lose hope in me,” Lorah remembered.
Lorah finally received her Pennsylvania nursing license in December 2024! Her job search had officially begun. “At this point, I said, it’s time for us to step in and support you. I’m going to connect you with a mentor who can help build your connections,” Kristen said.
Lorah met Jamie Scarano, Senior Director, Human Resources, UPMC Children’s Hospital, and 3 Cups of Coffee Mentor. “My initial impression was just how organized, professional and driven Lorah was. Her biggest challenge was just navigating the application system, so I was happy to help her understand the job search process for UPMC and the healthcare industry and build her connections within the system,” Jamie said.
By their second meeting, Lorah already had three job interviews, and in just a few short weeks, she was hired at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. “I am so excited and looking forward to actually starting my career here. I know I’m going to thrive,” she said. “The positive reinforcement I received from Jamie and Kristen, and everyone at PA Women Work, was really huge for me.”
Lorah’s story, and so many others, are made possible by the following funders.
3 Cups of Coffee: Arconic Foundation, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Aerie Real Foundation, Arby’s Foundation, Eaton
RISE: Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation, FedEx, PNC Foundation, Howard and Nell E. Miller Foundation, Jefferson Regional Foundation, Jack Buncher Foundation