NILE SISTERS RECEIVES GRANT FOR NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM

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East County News Service

January 23, 2017 (San Diego) -- Nile Sisters, a local organization dedicated to helping refugees in San Diego County, has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the California Endowment for its certified nursing assistant vocational training program.

Nile Sisters’ training program enables refugees and other underserved populations to access skill-training for in-demand careers such as healthcare professions.

Healthcare careers are the most promising and rapidly growing occupations nationally and statewide. Locally, professions such as certified nursing assistant constitute the largest employment in San Diego and Imperial counties.

Nile Sisters Development Initiative pioneered the program in 2012 and to date, nearly 80 participants have completed the program and entered the healthcare workforce.

One such success story is Jercol, a refugee from Rwanda who was persecuted, along with her family.  Here in America, she has struggled to build a new life for herself, her mother, her brother, and her 14-year-old son.  She recently completed Nile Sisters’ training program and enters the healthcare industry as a Certified Nursing Assistant, but she says this is only the first step.

She plans to continue her education to become a registered nurse.  Proven to be a strong and positive inspiration to others, Jercol advises future program participants to never be discouraged, even during hardships. “Every experience is a learning opportunity for personal growth and wisdom.”

 


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