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When Ehsannah Paw moved to the United States in 2009, she only knew a few people here.

Originally born in Burma, she grew up in Thailand in a refugee camp before deciding to come to the United States by herself.

She met a few other single women who were also making the trip, and they first went to New Jersey, before they moved to Minnesota because of a connection one of the other women had.

Paw said once they moved to St. Paul, they were connected with a Karen organization, and from there she was connected with Select Foods in Albert Lea.

She worked at Select Foods for two years before starting as a part-time success coach with the Albert Lea school district for six months before she was told by Penny Jahnke with Adult Basic Education about an opening at Workforce Development Inc. She applied and was offered the position, which was set up to help others in the Asian community find employment.

Now, nine years later, Paw has become an asset to the organization and finds pride in being able to help others like herself from the southeast Asian community — some who are new to the area.

Paw said her main role is helping these individuals find a job, but she also helps them be aware of other resources that are available in the community and to find housing.

She’ll even help with paperwork in applying for assistance, citizenship or in applying for a green card.

After she was with WDI for a few years, the office was awarded a grant through the Minnesota Department of Labor for a program to support efforts for individuals of southeast Asian descent get acclimated. She said the grant funding can go to help in the job search process and even help with clothing and other work items once the individuals find a job, along with job training costs and tuition fees, if needed.

“It’s just amazing to have someone to share this information to our community,” she said. “When I got here I hoped someone would share like that. … I’m so grateful to the state who gives us the money because it is needed here.”

She said her current caseload so far this year between Albert Lea and Austin has been between 70 and 80, and she estimated that her caseload last year was between 200 and 400 people.

Jenna Overland, regional manager for Workforce Development Inc. said Paw has been amazing in her role.

“She really is a connector,” Overland said. “She is great at connecting the Karen community and then connecting them with job opportunities.”

She said Paw is bilingual and well respected in her community, and those skills, combined with her positive spirit and willingness to help, are a big asset to the organization.

Overland said Paw helps those who come in with their career goals, she helps them get enrolled in school if needed and she helps them navigate the systems.

She has even translated sometimes at job interviews or in orientations to make sure both the employer and the participant are happy when hires are made.

Paw’s home office is in Albert Lea, but she will go to Austin as needed.

Paw said she is still surprised she was able to get the job — as she achieved a 10th-grade education in Thailand before moving to this country.

“I think it’s just a miracle for me,” she said.

When she first moved to the United States, it was one of her goals to get a degree having not had access to as much education previously. That goal was put on pause to be able to earn money to pay bills, but someday she hopes to pursue that again.

Paw said she is proud to live in a supportive community like Albert Lea with many organizations to help those who need it, including WDI and others such as Semcac and the United Way of Freeborn County.

“In my view, everyone needs to have success to have a strong and healthy community,” she said.

Aside from her job, Paw is active in her church, Zion Karen Lutheran Church, where she teaches Sunday school to children in preschool through first grade. On Friday nights, they teach their native language to whomever wants to participate.

“We just wanted to pass down our culture and language to our younger generation,” she said.

Now married with two children, Paw said she loves Albert Lea and especially appreciates all the different cultures here and how people help others in need.

“I love this town,” she said. “It’s a beautiful community, and when you need it, you can reach out for help.”