Free College-Credit Courses: Become a Certified Nursing Assistant!
October 6, 2011, EAST BOSTON, MA—At a time when many East Boston residents are in need of relief from unemployment and lack of opportunity, a new program offers young Boston residents free certification and meaningful career growth. Through a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Jobs and Community Services, the Education & Training Institute of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) is proud to announce a program to train young people to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The project is a collaboration between EBNHC, Maverick Landing Community Services, and Bunker Hill Community College.
The free program begins in November with three college-credit courses. In January, students will begin three preparatory courses needed to take the state exam to become a certified nursing assistant. Other features of the grant include: tutoring, a monthly stipend, case-management support, and a T-Pass for the spring semester.
To qualify for this exceptional opportunity, a student must be between the ages 17 and 21, have earned a high school diploma or GED, live in East Boston or any other neighborhood of the City of Boston, and have an interest in health care.
“This grant from the Mayor’s Office enables EBNHC to support members of the East Boston community in a new and exciting way,” said EBNHC CEO Jack Cradock. “In addition to providing healthcare to young East Boston residents, EBNHC is facilitating their access to the education they need to become new members of the healthcare provider community. This is a fabulous opportunity on many levels.”
Maverick Landing Community Services supports the East Boston area through social services, such as job training, job placement assistance, and education. Jude James, Executive Director, is pleased to be able to offer her clients this new CNA program, and looks forward to supporting their completion of CNA coursework. “The staff of Maverick Landing is committed to ensuring the success of program participants by providing case management services. Whether a young person needs access to food stamps, mental health counseling, tutoring, health care, childcare, or some other service, our role is to work with each participant on an ongoing basis to identify potential barriers to academic success early in the process. By doing so we hope to problem-solve with participants so that by next spring they can look back and say ‘I did it.’”
Interested candidates may call the EBNHC Education & Training Institute at 617-568-6444 and speak to Joanna or Jeanne, or e-mail cataldoj@ebnhc.org.
The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) has been a vital part of its community for over 40 years, providing easily accessible, high-quality health care to all who live and work in East Boston and the surrounding communities of Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Winthrop. EBNHC handles 300,000 patient visits per year—more than any other ambulatory care center in New England.
