Mykael Rosa, born and raised in New York, became connected to the NRF Foundation Rise Up Credential Program through The Door, a New York City based youth development nonprofit. The organization was founded in 1972 with the mission of supporting young people between ages 12 to 24 operating under a unique “all under one roof” model looking to address the needs of the local youth.
Mykael has been a sales associate at Old Navy in Atlantic Mall for over a year now and is working towards his education in mental health and human services. He was introduced to The Door through a friend and upon joining he discovered a retail employment opportunity through the organization’s partnership with Old Navy’s program, “This Way Onward”.
As he approached high school graduation, he was navigating a difficult period where much felt uncertain. Being introduced to The Door marked a turning point. From there, things began to fall into place. He became valedictorian and secured a job along the way. Looking back, that opportunity had strong impact on his motivation and helped open doors he hadn’t expected.
From a young age, Mykael has worked to help support his family and has come to see financial literacy as an important foundation for the future. When he started at Old Navy, however, he realized the job offered more than financial stability. The expectations placed on him, along with the encouragement he received to meet them, played a meaningful role in shaping his confidence and growth.
Mykael was nervous about sharing his story in the beginning. He’s naturally reserved and often prefers the comfort of home when he’s not working or focused on school. Speaking in front of others felt intimidating and unfamiliar. Once he began, though, he realized it wasn’t as overwhelming as he expected. It was simply a conversation, that realization helped him feel more at ease and gave him a growing sense of confidence.
Working in retail has opened so many doors for me and created opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s had a lasting impact.
Through the Rise Up program and the Retail Industry Fundamentals certification, Mykael developed skills that strengthened the way he interacts with customers, including patience, adaptability, and confidence. As Kelsey Louis, Chief Executive Officer of The Door, explains, the program helps young people “take the knowledge they learn in training and apply it directly in the workplace, while also gaining skills they can carry with them long after their first job.” Those lessons extended beyond the sales floor and helped shape his growth personally and professionally. “Working in retail has opened so many doors for me and created opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s had a lasting impact,” Mykael says.
The Door has empowered Mykael to interact with so many people and step out of his comfort zone. “Honestly I don’t think I would’ve made as many connections as I have without The Door,” Mykael says. “The people there taught me how to interact and put myself out there, and they were so welcoming that it inspired me to become like them.” That experience shaped the kind of person he wants to be, someone other can turn to when they’re trying to grow or try something new, and someone who encourages them by saying, “Let’s see what we can do and figure it out together.” Mykael said “You can enjoy everything and anything in life. It’s all up to your perception.”
