Ericka Ramirez Mendoza always dreamed about helping those in need.

For her, being able to work as a full-time pharmacy tech at a CVS in Oakland is a dream come true.

“It would have been so incredible for me to know that I’m here where I am at now. I never imagined to be here to be honest,” Ramirez Mendoza told CBS News Bay Area.

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Ramirez Mendoza said she joined First Place for Youth, an Oakland-based foster care system, when she was 14-years-old.

She recently turned 25, and left foster care in May. Through the system, she was able to take part in a free five-week pharmacy tech pre-employment program for underserved youth.

“The purpose of the program is to bring this type of industry knowledge to transitional youth so it targets everything from general job readiness all the way to drop off or triage,” said Marques Hancock, workforce initiative manager for CVS Health.

It’s a collaboration between CVS Health and First Place for Youth to help foster children transition into adulthood.

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