‘Our entire path was provided by El Centro:’ Andrii’s story

This is Part II of an ongoing series highlighting Catholic Charities Boston’s growing IT and Cybersecurity programs, in light of September being Workforce Development Month.

When Andrii Stetsuik, an El Centro graduate and Cybersecurity fellow for the City of Boston, left his home in Ukraine to study in the U.S., he believed he would be back in no time, returning to his family and job as a supply chain engineer.

The dramatic escalation of the war in Ukraine only a few months later, however, completely derailed the future Andrii had imagined. Fortunately, his wife and son were able to safely join him in Boston just days before Russia invaded their hometown.

With no understanding of English and no pathway to gaining employment, Andrii’s wife was overjoyed to discover El Centro’s free ESOL classes as a first step. Little did she know, El Centro would not only lead her to become fluent in English but also lead Andrii to discover a new career path and passion for cybersecurity.

“Even though I wasn’t a student at El Centro, Marianna Gerashkina wanted to help me too,” said Andrii. “She regularly checks in to see how our adaptation in the U.S. is going, always offering her support—whether it’s with job placement, improving English skills, or anything else we might need.” Marianna also helped Andrii by providing him with a computer, which was essential for his studies and work in cybersecurity.

Within weeks, Andrii was accepted into the intensive six-month program on an El Centro scholarship. As he gained new skills and confidence in the field, he began to feel that he had found his path in the U.S. — not the path he had expected but one that he found meaningful and would allow him to support his family.

When Andrii completed the training, El Centro’s staff introduced him to the Cybersecurity fellowship for the City of Boston, helping him build up his resume and working with him in the application process.

Andrii with his wife and son

“The whole team at Catholic Charities is incredibly supportive,” Andrii continued. “I’ve attended several of their meetings and even helped them a bit with moving into their new building. They’ve invited me to the school’s opening and other events, making me feel like a part of this close-knit family.”

Andrii said he is especially grateful for the continued interest and support from El Centro’s Program Director Lydia Spataru, who has always checked in on his family’s well being and provided invaluable assistance.

Meanwhile, Andrii’s wife has become fluent in English and is now working at a local school, while their son is preparing to enter the first grade, thanks to the support of El Centro staff who helped enroll him in kindergarten at a local school.

“Everything good that happened to our family here, our entire path in the U.S., was provided by El Centro,” said Andrii. “It’s so much more than just a school.”

To read more about Catholic Charities Boston’s Workforce Development programs, click here. To find out how you can support Catholic Charities’ students and clients in need, visit our Ways to Give page.