AJ’s Story
AJ is a refugee from Iraq who came to the United States at the end of 2023. AJ waited nearly 10 years to come to Indiana, and since he has arrived he has been “having the best time of his life.”
“Exodus has helped me from the moment they picked me up at the airport, with everything.”
AJ says Exodus has helped with housing, legal support, employment services, and whatever else he has needed to adjust to his new home – especially in connecting him to transportation.
AJ is passionate about public transportation. He believes it is important to have access to transportation to get to work and the grocery store. He even took the initiative to help other Exodus clients who live close to him learn how to use the bus. He said that he knows how it feels when you first arrive: you can feel lost and figuring out transportation can be difficult.
AJ has enjoyed taking the bus to explore his new home. He’s enjoyed going by Monument Circle, the state house, White River and the canal and learning as much as he can about Indianapolis!
“Sometimes being a refugee, there can be the disbelief that I am here.”
When AJ first arrived, he would check the map on his phone to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. “Sometimes the past is still with you, and there is a fear of things going bad again, but I am still hopeful for the future.”
AJ has also been working with our employment and mental health teams and is grateful for the resources they have provided him.
In the future, AJ hopes that he can get to a place where he is able “to give back whatever I can to my new Hoosier community. Hoosiers are so friendly and welcoming.” (Hoosier is his new favorite English word!)
“I learned something [Exodus] didn’t mean to teach me –good character, personality, and attitude.” AJ is deeply appreciative of all the work Exodus has done for him and is looking forward to being happy in continuing his new life here in Indiana.
