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In 2016, Ray-Lynn was working as a medical aide at a nursing home and was enrolled in nursing school. She struggled financially, finding it hard to pay for childcare. She knew her chosen field of healthcare held opportunity, but she didn’t know how she could afford both. She found out about the Kansas Health Profession Opportunity Program (KHPOP) through her nursing school peers and decided to apply.

Those who come to Volunteers of America Michigan are often looking for a new lease on life. For many, this involves a change in career. Through the Volunteers of America Michigan HPOG (VOAMI HPOG) program, participants find a new livelihood in healthcare, one that sustains them and offers the opportunity for growth.

Mariela is one such participant. She wanted a better life for her family and was doing everything she could to make it happen. She worked long hours as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and went to school full-time to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered nurse (RN). She balanced this with spending time with her husband and daughter.

Anna always wanted to work in healthcare, but when her family expanded, she became a stay at home mom. She felt as though she had lost part of herself. Anna knew she wanted to serve people and find her identity outside of motherhood, so she looked into classes at Everett Community College (EVCC).

Anna shared her struggles with another student who told her about the Innovations in Creating Access To Careers in Healthcare (I-CATCH) program. She applied right away. By the time Anna had started school at EVCC, she was caring for her ill grandfather, in addition to her four children. "My grandpa was my cheerleader, every day when I got home, he would ask me what I learned and tell me I was going to be a badass doctor one day."

As a child growing up in Chicago’s South Side, Lorena wanted to be a doctor because she enjoyed helping others. She experienced many challenges and setbacks that delayed her education goals. It seemed that for every step she took forward, Lorena was knocked back two. However, regardless of what she endured, Lorena did not give up on her dreams.

HPOG funds a program called Partnership to STEP UP in Health Careers (STEP UP) at Chicago State University. In the spring of 2017, Lorena's best friend, who was in STEP UP, introduced Lorena to the program. Lorena decided to learn more about STEP UP and attended orientation. After applying, Lorena was selected and started the certified nursing assistant (CNA) program.

Daphne was living in Nigeria with her husband and young son when life became intolerable due to religious persecution. Daphne wanted a better life for her son. She knew people living in the United States and made the decision to leave. She landed in a community that was not very welcoming. The language barrier was difficult. While searching for assistance for her family, she found Vive La Casa, operated by Jericho Road Community Health Center, in Buffalo, New York.

Vive La Casa provides legal aid and safe refuge to people seeking asylum in the United States. The staff opened their arms and hearts to Daphne and her son, finding her space at a shelter. While there, Daphne told a new friend that she had interest in working in healthcare. That friend referred her to the Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC). It was at BETC where she met Pat Williams, a case manager for the HPOG Buffalo program.

Any visitor to Texas will observe the immense openness and bright optimism. It characterizes not only its landscape, but also the big hearts of its people. Jessica is an example of the tenacity and grit of an Alamo Community College District HPOG graduate.

Fadumo grew up in Somalia with her mother and five siblings during the Somali Civil War. One day in 1991, 8-year old Fadumo and her younger sister set off to find clean water for their family. While walking, they heard gunfire and ran into an abandoned house to escape it. There, Fadumo heard the whistling of an incoming bomb before it hit. Fadumo lost her sister and sustained injuries to her leg that led to its amputation.

In 1996, her family sought refuge from the war and set out for Kenya on foot. That same year, they gained refugee status and immigrated to Seattle. In Seattle, doctors and care teams treated infections related to Fadumo's amputation. She received a prosthetic leg and regained her ability to walk on her own. The medical staff's compassion and support sparked Fadumo's interest in the healthcare field.

At the age of 39, Sam found himself unemployed. After working for a major airline for over a decade, he was laid off. Sam felt helpless and decided to go to the Pima County One Stop for help. Sam started another job with the airline but was soon laid off again.

Sam returned to the One Stop to meet with his case manager. He was frustrated with the lack of opportunity in the airline industry, and decided it was time for a change. Sam mentioned an interest in healthcare to his case manager. She gave him information on Pima Community College's Nursing Assistant (NA) program.

Sam struggled through the NA program. He was managing academic challenges, substance abuse, and crippling financial debt. After completing the NA program, Sam knew he wanted to progress further in the healthcare field and set his sights on the Practical Nurse (PN) program. His One Stop case manager introduced him to Pima Community College's HPOG program, HPOG Health Career Opportunities with Personalized Educational Supports (HOPES) .

A language barrier couldn't stop her desire to pursue a career in healthcare.

When Rosa moved to Nebraska with her husband in 2017, she left a long career in healthcare behind in Puerto Rico. She held a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Sciences, and spent many years working as a registered nurse and nursing instructor.

Even with her experience, Rosa faced barriers to healthcare education and a career in the U.S. She had only studied basic English in Puerto Rico. She knew she would have to overcome this obstacle to continue her career in nursing.

In February 2018, Rosa began studying English at Platte Valley Literacy Association in Columbus, NE. She told her English instructor she still wanted to work in the healthcare field. Her instructor referred her to the Health Education Laddering Program (Project HELP) , her local HPOG program, for support.

Kayla moved to Kilbourne, Louisiana at the age of 17. She came from a family that struggled with addiction, early motherhood, and heartache. She left high school when she was five months pregnant.

Kayla received her GED shortly after the birth of her first child, but was unsure what to do next. During childhood, she struggled with ADHD, bullying and an unstable home life. Kayla's educational experience was negative. Teachers were not supportive and told her she would never amount to anything.

Kayla met her husband in 2007, and they had four more daughters. Together, they found God and raised their five children. Kayla's husband worked long hours to provide for them. They lived paycheck to paycheck, and their daughters often went without. Kayla believed a higher power had big plans for her but wasn't quite sure what they were.

Eventually Kayla heard her calling at church to become a nurse. She worried about the commitment and time away from her children it would take. She deliberated, but knew it was the right choice. She applied to nursing school and was accepted. Now she needed to find a way to pay for school.