Joselyn Jimenez - November 2022 Shero

Congratulations Joselyn Jimenez, Mattapan, MA 

How long have you been in the early childhood field?  17 years          

What inspired you to become a Family Childcare Educator/Entrepreneur? 

“What inspired me to start my family child care was my children. By having my program, I could be more aware of them at home while they went to school.”

What are you most passionate about in your work? “What I am most passionate about in my job is children and preparing them for the future"

How did the Shared Services Business Workshops help you with your business? “Shared Services workshops taught me to have my program more organized, and also be more mindful of my finances.”

Tell us your story: My name is Joselyn Jimenez. I emigrated to Boston in January 1992. When I came, I had a six-year-old girl. I was obligated to leave her with my husband and his mother. The situation was challenging for me. When I arrived, I thought that I would not be able to survive without my family. I felt so lonely and sad that I wanted to return to the Dominican Republic. My mother felt very sad looking at my situation. So, she enrolled me in the Hispanic alliance to study English and take driving lessons since it was just her and me.

Months after, my mother got sick, and I did not know this country.
I was desperate because I didn't even know how to take the bus or call an ambulance to take her to the hospital until a few neighbors helped me. Two months later, I got a job at a florist shop, fixing flowers, but soon after, I had to leave the job because I returned to the Dominican Republic to marry my husband to be able to submit his application request for a visa for him and my little Alexandra. When I returned to Boston, I was pregnant with my second child, Jessey. After giving birth, I was forced to send him to his father and sister to be able to work and take care of my mother. A year later, my older brother arrived. I felt very excited to have someone to help me with my mother. Seven years later, my husband received his papers to come to the United States with the kids.

I completed the home health aide course and started working with people aging at home. I also studied to be a nursing assistant at the red cross, and I got a job as a living program assistant there.
I worked for six years and got pregnant with my third child, Jeffrey, after
giving birth, I did not find the right place to take care of my child, and from there, I came up with the idea of putting my own daycare program. I feel very excited about my program because I have helped many families achieve their goals with their children and themselves by allowing them to study and have a better education. My children, thank God, are also professionals because I was always there for them. I started the university after work and obtained my bachelor's degree. It was hard, but thank God today I can say that I am a teacher thanks to my family and child care program.