Maryam Kiashemshaki - EARN Maryland Program - Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF) – Testimonial - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

“My name is Maryam and I came to the United States in 2005 with a Tourist Visa. While here, I met my husband and we got married in 2006. Now, I have a 13-year-old son. Unfortunately, my marriage didn’t work out. My husband was abusive and my visa expired.

“For more than 14 years, I lived in great fear and anxiety. Under these circumstances and because of my visa status, I was unsure of whether I could file for a divorce. Eventually, when my life, and especially the life of my son, became unbearable, I found some shards of courage and filed for divorce in December 2018.

After my separation, I started seeing a counselor. I filed for my Green Card and received it.

My counselor introduced me to the Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF) which changed my life significantly. I enrolled in the Community Health Workers (CHW) training program and successfully completed both modules. Now I work 30 hours per week at AACF as a Language Resource Specialist and the new income is helping me to support my son.

I have also completed several other training programs online and received four certificates. My level of anxiety has been reduced tremendously, and my son and I are much happier. I feel stronger and more confident now. I think I owe a big part of my progress to the AACF and CHW Training funded through the EARN Maryland program.”