Rochester, NY
Desire and motivation mixed with a little assistance can be life changing.
When Claudette was a child, she was caught in a fire and was treated for burns covering over 60% of her body. The treatment she received left her inspired to pursue a career in the healthcare field.
Years later, Claudette, now a single mother of seven, was attending her daughter’s childcare intake appointment at Action for a Better Community, when she saw a presentation delivered by an HPOG navigator. She realized that her long-held dream could become reality.
In June 2016, she was accepted into the Rochester Health Professions Opportunity Grants (ROC-HPOG) , and Claudette met with her appointed navigator to develop an education and career plan. Claudette decided to enroll into the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training after taking (and passing) the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam.
Claudette had to juggle the responsibilities of a single parent with schoolwork, and she leaned on her family for help. It was important to her to have her children’s understanding and blessing. She was grateful to receive tuition assistance and motivational guidance along the way through the ROC-HPOG program. These supportive services made it possible for her to continue on her education and career pathway when the going got tough.
Claudette finished her training in August 2017 and graduated with the program’s highest honor — the Florence Nightingale Art of Nursing Award. During her valedictorian speech, Claudette thanked the ROC-HPOG staff for their assistance and motivation throughout her journey.
Claudette received many offers of employment but settled on an LPN position at Aaron Manor Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Center, making $21 an hour. She continues to get assistance from ROC-HPOG and is currently working toward obtaining her Registered Nurse (RN) certification. The ROC-HPOG program — along with her own persistence and hard work — truly changed the course of Claudette’s life.
“It was tough, but if I can do it, anybody can.”
This success story was self-identified by the grantee and information contained in this document was provided by the grantee.
Files
- PDF HPOG Claudette at ABC (232.42 KB)