Jessica, a 10th-grader, has a strong passion for math and world history. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she’s seen the challenges faced by many youth and dreams of one day opening an orphanage to provide food, clothing, and shelter to children in need. Her vision is driven by the common challenges that people face across the world.

Jessica grew up in a musical household and joined a choir for fun. Over time, she became more serious about improving her voice control and impressing her parents. She enjoys singing gospel, classical opera, and R&B, and is always striving to improve.

Jessica also has a love for cooking and enjoys experimenting with new recipes. For her, cooking is not just a hobby—it’s a way to connect with her family’s traditions, and she hopes to one day cook as well as her grandmother and mother.

When her parents encouraged her to join the Youthful Impact program, Jessica took on the challenge of learning IT Support, a subject completely new to her. Although she struggled with topics like binary code, she credits her coaches and mother in helping her push through to complete the program. The weekly meetings at the office and Zoom were key to her success.

Jessica eventually learned how to take apart and reassemble computers, even fixing an issue with her own machine. This hands-on experience gave her a real sense of achievement and sparked a deeper interest in technology, thanks to Youthful Impact. Along with her tech skills, Jessica has improved her music production abilities. She’s learned how to use studio equipment and digital tools, boosting her confidence in both music and tech.

Looking to the future, she plans to start a club at her school to help other U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) youth get ahead. Feeling more confident and closer to her goals, Jessica is excited to encourage her peers in doing something meaningful and relevant.

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