When Suhaela joined us in June 2023, she arrived as a determined 17-year-old balancing work and motherhood while living with her own mom. From the start, she brought strength, maturity, and a natural ability to lead. During Path 1, she quickly emerged as someone her peers looked to—steady, capable, and ready to grow. 

After completing Path 1, Suhaela became a reliable presence across our culinary enterprises, from farmers’ markets to large-scale events, consistently showing up with focus and heart.

Earlier this year, Suhaela and her young son took an important step forward: moving into an apartment with another young mother she met through Pathways Kitchen. This transition required more stable hours than we could provide alone, so our team partnered with her to identify an employment opportunity that offered consistency, accessibility, and room to thrive. In May, she began working at Turkey and the Wolf in East Nashville.

Like many work transitions, there were challenges. Suhaela’s lived experiences differed from those of her new coworkers, and both she and the team needed time and support to adjust. Thanks to strong collaboration with the employer, we provided training on positive youth development and trauma-informed care, while also offering individual coaching for Suhaela. Today, the growth is unmistakable, and her supervisor sings her praises!