Contact:     Richard Guiss, Director, Public Relations & Development

(562) 435-3411 Ext. 267

LaVont’e Jackson, Employment Services Coordinator

(562) 435-3411, Ext. 277

Photo Available Upon Request

 

GOODWILL CELEBRATES WITH THE GRADUATION OF ITS

FALL 2008 CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING CLASS

 

            LONG BEACH, CA – FEBRUARY 6, 2008 – Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County held ceremonies for 9 graduates of its Fall 2008 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) class at Goodwill’s Main Facility on Friday, Feb. 1.

            Receiving certificates of completion were: Diana Meza, Adriana Gonzalez-Rangel, Erica Navarro, Tracy Walker, Gladiz Keneker, Monique Grant, Anshaniece Peterson, Rachel Rodriguez and Heng Lour, all Long Beach residents. The program provides classroom, clinical training, and prepares students to qualify to take the State of California Certified Nursing Assistant exam or other healthcare related tests. Accredited units may be earned toward the LVN and RN programs at Long Beach City College and at California State University at Long Beach.

            In attendance were the graduates’ family members and special guests were Connie Sziebl, Deputy Officer of Supervisor Don Knabe, 5th District and Time Lee, Deputy District Director from Congresswoman Laura Richardson’s office. Also in attendance were: Ivy Gooslby, Board member, CHW St. Mary Medical Center Foundation; Kishmir Hunter, Long Beach Community Foundation; Margaret Webster, Assistant Superintendent Long Beach High Schools; and Margarite Womack & Brayden Hammer from United Way of Greater Los Angeles.  

            Sponsored by the United Way, Long Beach Community Foundation, St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, Goodwill Board of Trustees and in partnership with the County of Los Angeles, Long Beach Regional Occupational Program and the California State University Long Beach nursing program, this course opens the door to a career in the healthcare industry.

            Goodwill’s next CNA class, which is already filled with 26 students, began on January 29 2008. The next training cycle Goodwill will be enrolling students is on March 3, 2008 for the Medical Core (Phase I) that begins on April 10, 2008.

            Goodwill’s Workforce Development Department developed the CNA program in 2005 at Carmelitos, a transitional housing community. Last year Goodwill expanded the program by enrolling interested residents living outside the housing community as well as those residing at Carmelitos.

            “This program is open to low income youth, between the ages of 18-to-21, who live in Long Beach or Signal Hill,” said LaVont’e Jackson, Goodwill’s Employment Services Coordinator, “and to low income residents who live in southern Los Angeles County.”

            An entry eligibility criterion does apply for the CNA training: no felonies; must have an 8th grade reading and math level; be a resident of Southern Los Angeles County; and must be 18 years of age or older. Financial assistance is available. For more information, contact LaVont’e Jackson at (562) 435-3411, ext. 277.

            Goodwill serves the people of Southern Los Angeles County as a community resource providing job training and employment placement services to individuals with barriers to employment.

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