Yasemin K., featured at the 2025 Bridges National Gala
Featured at the 2025 Bridges Gala: Yasemin K. moved to NYC from Turkey on her own, became a Guest Associate at Barclays Center, and finished her first NYC Marathon in 2024.
Video length: 3:13
Read the transcript406 words in the transcript for Yasemin's story: 2025 Bridges National Gala video
I'm Yasemin. I was born with spina bifida.
I'm an immigrant in the U.S. Came here from Turkey two years ago.
As soon as I got my work authorization, I wanted to get a job, and then I started emailing. I got back from the bridges at the same night, and then I came to the office, and right away we started searching for a job. When
we found the guest services role at Barclays Center, it really piqued her interest. She knew that she would be able to work all around the arena. She would have that customer interaction. She'd be able to improve her English that way. She loves helping people. I
was very nervous. I didn't know what are the interview questions like. We were always having practice. Whatever I need, she was always being tough on it.
She was really happy with how her interview went. She was supposed to find out a few days later, but they actually called her later that night and offered her the position.
For Yasemin, a typical day is guns blazing. She is in school mornings and afternoons, and then her Barclays shifts are all at night.
Since I'm an athlete, I really like watching the basketball games, especially the WNBA. I like doing adaptive sports, such as wheelchair racing, rock climbing, swimming.
I was always looking for an opportunity to show myself and to show the world what disabled people can do. Aside
from being a coach to new wheelchair racers, she did several marathons, notably the New York City Marathon. It was her first time ever competing. She was a great leader.
Once I'm done with my school, I can go back to see it and again apply for the IT department or something at the front desk to apply for the affordable apartments. They are working on my goals as if they are their goals. They want me to feel good about my life.
Yasemin is remarkable. She probably deals with more barriers than most people do. She always had the drive and the passion herself to really push forward. We just try to, as best we can, help her put that in the right direction to maximize her success. So it's been a pleasure to watch her work with Anna and really achieve different milestones through school and working at Barclays Center and slowly building up to where she wants to be.
Yasemin K. moved to the United States from Turkey two years ago, knowing no one. She has spina bifida and has been a wheelchair user her entire life. With the help of friends she made through volunteering, she taught herself English.
Yasemin found Bridges through her mentor at Achilles International, where she has volunteered for over a year as a coach for wheelchair users who want to participate in races. She trains other wheelchair athletes weekly at Central Park.
In July 2024, Yasemin met her Youth Employment Specialist at the Bridges New York office. They prepped interview clothes, updated her resume together, and reviewed jobs. She also took the Borough of Manhattan Community College tour with the Bridges pre-ETS team.
On the morning of her Barclays Center interview, the elevator in her shelter went down for three hours. She stayed positive and still attended the interview that day, and was offered the job the following week. In mid-August 2024, Yasemin secured the role of Guest Associate at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. She helps scan tickets, show guests where their seats are, and operates the elevators for VIP and Box Seat access. She works everything from Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty basketball games to concerts.
In November 2024, for the first year ever, Yasemin completed the New York City Marathon.
Yasemin currently works part-time at Barclays Center while completing a Cyber Security certificate program at Ace Technology Institute, ending June or July 2025.
Stories like this happen because of partnership.
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