04/30/2026
A Story of Perseverance!
I will call him Invincible because that’s what describes him best. I know you will agree with me after reading this story.
Invincible is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He arrived in Worcester as a refugee at age 17 with a large family: his mother, four younger siblings, two adult siblings, and three young nieces. At a young age he had to take on the responsibility of stepping into a role that required both maturity and sacrifice.
Because of his age upon arrival, Invincible was unable to enroll in a traditional high school (that’s the story for next time). Instead, he attended the Gerald Creamer Academy, where he worked diligently to complete his education. While adapting to a new country, culture, and education system, he also helped his family navigate the complexities of the new environment with an Advocate from ARISE.
Despite following all required steps, Invincible encountered a major obstacle: he did not receive his Employment Authorization Document (EAD). As a result, he was unable to work while his family’s needs continued to grow more urgent.
Meanwhile, his mother, who had the EAD, faced her own challenges. She speaks very limited English and is the primary caregiver for her 5 minor children, 3 grandchildren and two adult daughters’ health conditions. With limited ability to seek employment and increasing family responsibilities, the household had no choice but to depend on public assistance. That support unfortunately ended because our systems are not set up to understand a single mother’s unmet needs, leaving the family unable to pay rent. They were issued a 30-day eviction notice, placing them at immediate risk of homelessness.
Compounding these hardships their home became infested with mice, forcing them to temporarily relocate to a hotel while exterminators worked to address the problem. This displacement added further instability and trauma to a family on the brink of homelessness.
But despite all this, Invincible refused to give up. On February 28, 2026, he walked into the ARISE’s ESL class, determined to find a way forward for his family. Recognizing his potential, commitment, and urgent need, the ARISE team advocated tirelessly on his behalf. Despite all the barriers created by the missing EAD, on March 16, he was offered a position at an Ice-Cream Corporation. He began working part-time, quickly demonstrating reliability, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn. He doesn’t have a car or a license. Despite all that, he shows up to work every day fulfilling his job responsibilities under challenging circumstances.
In his role, he works in the kitchen preparing food, including making sandwiches, ice cream, and more. His dedication and consistency did not go unnoticed. In a short period of time, he earned the trust of his employer, who increased his hours to full-time and even offered him opportunities for overtime. Today, Invincible earns a steady income and contributes meaningfully to his family’s survival. His job is more than employment; it represents stability, dignity, and hope.
Invincible is not just a story of overcoming bureaucratic delays or economic hardship. He is a story of a young man who stepped up when his family needed him the most and remained determined even when systems nearly failed him.
His journey continues, and proudly stands as a testament to what is possible when resilience meets the right advocate!
Purna Neupane Pabitra Neupane Madeleine DelVicario Mukesh Chandra Baral
