Susan arrived in the United States from Nepal on July 26, 2016, with her husband Bhim and their young children, carrying hopes for a better future. Today, Susan lives in Prospect Park with her family of five. Her three children—now ages 13, 10, and 8—are growing up with opportunities Susan once only dreamed of.
Susan and Bhim originally expected to stay in Nepal, where all of Susan’s family still lives. But Bhim’s parents, who were already in the United States, encouraged them to immigrate.
“They told us there would be good education and good health here,” Susan said. “We came to make our kids’ lives better.”
When Susan first arrived in Pittsburgh, everything felt new. Even small things, like riding the bus, were surprising. “In Nepal, you pay with paper money and tell the driver to stop,” she explained. “Here, everything is automated, and you push a button.” Despite her worries, Susan quickly noticed how kind people were. “American people are so helpful and loving. On the bus, people gave me their seats. People open doors for each other. I felt so comfortable.”
Susan’s transition was made much easier when her family learned about the Family Center then located on Maple Drive. Her mother-in-law attended ESL classes there, and her sister-in-law encouraged Susan to go as well. Susan joined right away, enrolling in ESL classes, parenting classes, and visiting the food pantry. “They helped with everything—paperwork, questions, whatever we needed,” she said. “The Family Center is like my family. Whatever I need, they help.”
At the time, Susan’s children were very young, just 2½ and 1½ years old. She participated in parenting classes for three years and received home visits for all her children until they turned five. SHIM family center coordinators Lori and Netra supported her every step of the way. Through these programs, Susan learned new approaches to parenting that were very different from what she had grown up with in Nepal.
“In my home country, if kids don’t listen or don’t do homework, hitting is normal,” Susan explained. “Here, I learned about timeouts and other ways to handle behavior.” At first, Bhim didn’t understand these changes. In Nepal, fathers are expected to work outside the home while mothers handle childcare and household responsibilities. That changed when Bhim joined the Dad’s Group at the Family Center.
“When Bhim joined the Fatherhood course, everything changed,” Susan said. “He learned what I learned.”
Bhim himself later told Susan that if he hadn’t joined Dad’s Group, his anger might have been out of control. “Now he knows how to handle things. He’s very happy,” she said. Susan is deeply thankful for the Dad’s Group and for Netra, who leads it and speaks Nepali, making it easier for fathers to participate.
Susan now encourages other Nepali families to attend parenting classes and Dad’s Group. “Many parents don’t know any other way because that’s what they learned,” she said. “I tell them there are different methods, and there is help.”
Susan’s family has also benefited from SHIM’s youth programs. All three of her children have participated, with her oldest child currently attending Youth Mentoring, and the younger two attending After School. These programs help with homework and provide educational enrichment opportunities to help students succeed in school and in life.
“Youth programs are so helpful for us,” Susan said. “We don’t always know how to do the homework. They help the kids learn skills.”
The Family Center’s food pantry has also been an essential support. Susan appreciates the fresh vegetables, fruits, rice, beans, and household items like soap, paper products, and laundry detergent.
“It’s healthy, fresh, and in season,” she said. “Very helpful.”
Susan especially values the Women’s Group, where she has learned sewing, cooking, computer skills, and even flower arranging. The group sometimes takes field trips, and Susan treasures the sense of community. “My mind feels so fresh,” she said. “All the women feel good together. We build community and make friends.”
In October 2024, Susan began working outside the home for the first time, starting as a memory care aide. While she enjoyed the job, the physical demands were challenging, so she transitioned to housekeeping at the same location. She is now trying a new position as a personal shopper at Walmart and hopes to eventually work in the apparel section.
“I’m trying,” she said. “I’m not sure how it will go, but I’m working hard.”
Bhim has worked in environmental support services at St. Clair Hospital since 2018. His first job in the U.S. was at American Textile, where he worked in packing and later as a mechanic. Balancing work and childcare was difficult in those early years, especially with preschool schedules, but the Family Center helped them navigate those challenges.
In 2024, Susan and her entire family became U.S. citizens after taking citizenship classes online through Literacy Pittsburgh. Years ago, Susan shared that her wishes were to get her driver’s license, citizenship, and a job. Today, she has achieved all three goals. Her new goals are to continue working, save money, buy a home, and eventually purchase a new car.
Despite her progress, Susan still faces challenges. Sometimes at work, language barriers make her nervous. “Sometimes people are not nice,” she said. “When my language is not strong, I feel uneasy.” At home, the family speaks Nepali, and Susan encourages her children to continue using their first language. Her daughter, now in fifth grade, prefers English, though she understands Nepali. Susan worries about losing the ability to fully communicate with her children and hopes to keep learning alongside them.
Susan is a strong advocate for the Family Center. She regularly invites friends, relatives, and newly arrived families to SHIM. She forwards calendars, shares information on social media, and helps families fill out paperwork.
“When people feel alone and need support like I did, I tell them to come to the Family Center,” she said.
Susan believes deeply in sharing what she has learned. “I learn many things here, and whatever I learn, I tell other families. Your wishes come true at the Family Center. They listen to us. They help us.”
Reflecting on her journey, Susan says, “USA is a God-gifted country. Here, if you wish to do something and you try, there is success. I like America.” But above all, she is grateful for the place that made her transition possible.
“We are so lucky and grateful to have this Family Center in Pittsburgh,” she said. “Other countries don’t have anything like this. It makes everything easy- more comfortable, and with less stress. The Family Center is our family.”
Read Susan’s original story from 2019 and Bhim’s story from 2024.
