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Jessica's voice carries the quiet power of someone who has walked through darkness and emerged with purpose. As our first house manager at The Lighthouse, she helped create a community for asylum seekers when her own journey was still unfolding. Nine years after we first met, Jessica now shares how a leap of faith brought her from Burkina Faso to an unexpected six months in U.S. immigration detention.

"I was the only French-speaking person there," Jessica recalls of her detention experience. Far from being defeated by isolation, she formed bonds with Spanish-speaking detainees as they learned English together by watching television and attending weekly religious services. This resilience foreshadowed her future role at The Lighthouse, where she would befriend those from Syria, Honduras, Ecuador, and Mexico, building lasting bonds  despite language barriers.

Jessica's story illuminates the hidden workforce behind our everyday conveniences. Now a U.S. citizen balancing warehouse work with pursuit of a social work degree, she describes picking and packing online orders alongside fellow immigrants from Africa, Haiti, and Latin America. "It's only my boss who is white," she notes about the warehouse staff, offering a glimpse into the essential labor performed by those who've come seeking better lives. Despite the physical demands of this work, Jessica persists in her education, determined to serve refugees and immigrants once she completes her degree.

Faith remains Jessica's cornerstone. From her grandfather who served as a pastor to her unwavering commitment to attend church even when offered holiday overtime pay, Jessica's spiritual foundation guides her journey. "When you are a believer you have to have faith, because faith can do everything," she shares, her words a testament to finding meaning beyond hardship. Her story challenges us to recognize our shared humanity and responsibility toward those seeking refuge. How might our communities change if we all approached newcomers with Jessica's blend of compassion and clarity?

Please consider supporting The Lighthouse, a haven to those navigating our broken immigration system. We strive to ensure that those seeking safety never have to navigate their darkest moments alone.

For more information, please visit lighthousenj.org.