 If you’ve spent any time at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place lately, you’ve likely seen the smiling face of Ihab Jadallah, who has been working as a LIHEAP specialist with RCS for 14 years.
Although Ihab and his family have called Louisville home since the late 1990s, his road to Kentucky was a long and winding one.
Ihab grew up in the West Bank of Palestine, where he learned in both English and Arabic at the prestigious American School of Palestine. He was able to practice his English in the U.S., where his family emigrated more than once – spending time in Cleveland, Ohio and Tampa, Florida.
“I was going back and forth so the cultural shock wasn’t really there,” says Ihab. “My family ended up here in Louisville and so Louisville became home.”
After graduation in Palestine, Ihab attended the University of South Carolina, earning his Bachelor’s degree and eventually a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
After college, Ihab rejoined his mother and brothers in Louisville, where he started his own family and took a management job at Sam’s Club. In 2009, Ihab was ready for a career change so he came to Louisville Metro as a seasonal worker with the LIHEAP program – he did well, enjoyed the work, and was made full-time the next year (2010).
“This work is so fulfilling,” says Ihab, whose title is now Social Service Program Coordinator. “Working with clients directly, helping people, and seeing what effect you are having … every year that I do this, I like it more.”
Ihab didn’t expect to be working for RCS for 14 years but he still enjoys it and has no plans to leave.
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