Nellya Mironyuk (Business and Bible) received an award for Excellence in Citizenship from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at this year’s PA Refugee Resettlement Annual Consultation in June. The award, which recognizes the personal achievements and honors excellence in service to the community, is given to a nominated immigrant (refugee, asylee, or victim of trafficking) and the annual conference. Nellya was nominated by JEVS Human Services, the organization where she did her PBU Business Administration program practicum.
Nellya has been working for JEVS Human Services in Philadelphia. JEVS’ mission is to enhance the employability, independence, and quality of life of individuals through a broad range of programs. Nellya performed tasks in the business office, including organizing data for the organization and developing client relationships with her team. She developed several new projects for them and received an outstanding review from her supervisor.
Nellya’s family came to the United States as refugees from Kazakhstan in 2008. They settled in Philadelphia, though they had no connections and could speak no English. Concerned about the language barrier, Nellya worked to learn English and became involved with JEVS’ PASS Program (Preparing for, Attaining, & Sustaining Success). Following finishing that program, she continued on to complete two paid internships for the organization before being accepted into the Path to Employment program, and eventually hired to work as an administrative assistant at the Center for New Americans.
In addition to her studies at PBU and her work with JEVS, Nellya volunteers with Russian youth at her church, writes for the Russian newspaper her father manages, and operates a video production company with her brother and sister.
Nellya sees this award as a blessing from God. “I feel God has prepared something even bigger for me. If God opens the doors, nobody will close them. I am so thankful to God that He leads me. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take’ (NLT).”
Reflections From the Ranch [From the Bucks County Courier Times]
When I was a much younger man, I worked as a wrangler and horsemanship instructor while learning to train horses. In the process of working with young horses, I found
