From the Fields to a Future: Julisa’s Journey to Empowerment

Julisa and her family have long followed the migrant pattern for seasonal work, first traveling from Texas to Florida before her father was offered an opportunity to cultivate cucumbers in Florida. This led her family to a new routine — traveling to Michigan in May and returning to Florida by November, a cycle they’ve followed for the past 16 years. 

During one of their seasons in Michigan, Julisa’s family connected with Agricultural Employment Liaison Jesus Lule. Jesus visited their home in Decatur to share employment support and educational resources. Inspired by these efforts, Julisa’s brother-in-law enrolled in the Michigan State University (MSU) High School Equivalency Program, completing his coursework in just two weeks before continuing his agricultural work. Her brother soon followed suit and is currently working toward his GED with support from MSU.

Jesus continued checking in with the family over time. After learning that Julisa had nearly a decade of experience teaching at a Head Start program in Florida, he suggested she consider a role at Michigan Works!. Despite her initial hesitation, Julisa was committed to staying in Michigan to give her children a more stable educational experience. Her daughter had struggled with the frequent transitions between states, especially in reading, often falling behind compared to her peers.

Despite her doubts, Julisa took Jesus’ encouragement to heart. With his support, she updated her resume and applied for the role. Not long after, she was interviewed and offered the position.

Today, Julisa works at Michigan Works! where her passion for education and helping others shines. Her journey from the fields to a fulfilling career, demonstrates the power of perseverance, community support and the life-changing impact of opportunity.