City woman finds success through YWCA
TROY >> Felicia Ashley says it’s OK to cry when times get tough, as long as you never give up trying.
The 30-year-old city native was honored by the YWCA of the Capital Region as its Woman of Inspiration at the organization’s Resourceful Women luncheon earlier this month. According to the YWCA’s Malissa Pilette-Mcclenon, this year was the organization’s most successful luncheon ever, with more than 400 people in attendance.
Ashley’s life story includes overcoming homelessness, unemployment and raising five children — including one with special needs — as a single parent.
“I don’t feel like I did anything special,” she said. “I tell my children, if you want to be like Mommy, you keep on going. I am proud that my children have learned from my experiences. As my son says, ‘You have to brush yourself off and live your life.’”
Ashley’s journey started when she left home at age 19.
“Bad things come in threes,” she said, describing a job loss that started the ball rolling to homelessness.
With no options, she sought — and received — help from the YWCA.
“I received a lot of support, both emotionally and mentally,” she remembered. “That support system was really big for me. I’d never had that before in my life. Just giving that ear, a listening ear, made a difference.”
Modest about her own achievements, Ashley speaks with pride about the accomplishments of her children, ages 2-11.
“I’m happy that we are able to do things like family outings,” she said. “I was able to purchase a vehicle that enables me to do more. When they have activities at school, I am able to get them
there, and it makes me feel better, the things that I am able to do for my children. These are things that I once thought I would never be able to do.”
Several times, pregnancy and motherhood thwarted her search for employment. At one point, she said, her doctor would not clear her to return to work for a year and a half.
“You have to persevere” she said. “There are times I get in a rut and get depressed, but for the most part, my children keep me
going. As I tell them, it’s OK to be sad, but you still have to live your life. The world is not going to stop for you to be upset.”
The YWCA helped Ashley find housing and job training, building her skills and experience through its Ready to Work program. Working in a local food pantry, she created a spreadsheet to streamline the organization’s recordkeeping process.
“We are extremely proud of Felicia,” said YWCA Executive Director Daquetta Jones. “Her perseverance, not being afraid to seek help, utilizing the tools she gain from YWCA-GCR’s Jamison-Rounds Ready For Work Program has proven to be a great success. … Although YWCA-GCR was there for Felicia in time of need, she is responsible for her success, as her determination and resilience created a path to success to be where she is today.”
“If I see something I can improve, I do it,” she said.
Ashley now works in the billing department at Albany Medical Center, where she has earned the respect of her colleagues and supervisors alike.
“In patient billing, you must have strong attention to detail, be a strong problem solver, and your work must be 100 percent accurate,” said Robert Wimmer, electronic data interchange coordinator in patient billing at Albany Medical Center. “Felicia excels in all three areas. She has a strong work ethic and strives to do her best in everything she does. Her coworkers frequently seek her input and look to her as a source of guidance. We’re proud of Felicia for this well-deserved recognition.”
With a year of college already under her belt, Ashley hopes to resume classes next year and earn her degree by age 35. Regardless of what happens, she has learned to be flexible.
“I tell people don’t give up,” she said.