A Full-Circle Moment: How Abbas Built a Career and Gave Back

Lead Refugee Employment Specialist, April F. and Abbas.

Abbas is someone who sets goals and follows through. He arrived in the United States with his family in December 2023 through the JFS Refugee Resettlement program, speaking little English but determined to find employment. 

 When Abbas first met with April, JFS Lead Refugee Employment Specialist, he was clear about his goal: he wanted to work at Walmart. Together, they created a resume and began the job search. After interviewing for construction and hospitality roles without receiving offers, Abbas landed an interview with Walmart. 

 He was hired as a temporary seasonal overnight employee. His manager was very supportive and noticed Abbas’ strong work ethic and how he was quickly learning English. Soon after, Abbas was offered a permanent position on the electronic shopping team. Within six months, he was promoted to team lead and then to manager. 

 Abbas leads a team of 35 employees with diverse backgrounds in Walmart’s online pickup and delivery (OPD) department. As a manager, he creates an environment where team members feel comfortable and not stressed in their roles. He believes in listening first, then problem-solving and leading with patience and encouragement. Abbas understands, firsthand, what it’s like to start at the entry level. 

 When the team exceeds its goals, customer orders increase, and new job opportunities are created. Because of his success in production, Abbas is ready to hire four new employees. He recently reached out to JFS to ask if clients were looking for work, a full-circle moment for both Abbas and April, and a great example of what’s possible with determination, support, and a positive attitude. April and the Career Services team are actively referring candidates for these roles and anticipating interviews. 

 Abbas shared that when he first arrived in Colorado, JFS gave him a notebook and pen to practice writing his name and phone number in English. He still has that notebook as a reminder of how far he has come.