Turning Lives Around: Workforce training program helps high school drop-outs achieve career success

Six young women with challenging pasts are now looking forward to bright futures, thanks to an MCC workforce training program that has given them a second chance at success.

The women, who all left their Kansas City, Mo. School District high schools before earning a diploma, are part of a drop-out recovery program operated by the school district and funded by the Full Employment Council. The program, called 21st Century, allows non-completers to take individualized courses of study to finish their required studies and earn a high school diploma. Now, the 21st Century program is extending beyond high school completion to help the students train for a career, through a partnership with MCC’s Institute for Workforce Innovation.

The six young women, who are all recent 21st Century graduates, are enrolled in a three-part training program at MCC where they will earn certifications in certified nurse assistant (CNA), level 1 medication aide and insulin administration. The group has completed the first phase of the training – earning their CNA certification – and will complete the other two certifications by August 1.

At a celebratory certification ceremony on Friday, June 18, representatives from 21st Century and MCC congratulated the students on their dedication and determination.

“This is the first step. Even if you can’t see the whole staircase yet, you’ve taken the first step so now you can go anywhere you want to go,” said Brenda Sanders, a seasoned healthcare professional who mentored the students during their CNA training.

In addition to providing a class mentor, the program also incorporated other special features to help ensure student success, including tutoring, meetings with potential employers, a clinical experience, transportation assistance and built-in individualized attention. Classes are held at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, a brand new state-of-the-art healthcare training and education center that houses training for more than 20 different healthcare careers.

The students, who have overcome significant obstacles to succeed in the training program, were very appreciative for the individualized attention of the instructor, mentor, caseworkers and MCC program coordinators.

“Thank you for believing in us,” said Sparkle Donahue, a single mother whose 3 year-old daughter tagged along to the certification ceremony. “Now I can be a role model for my kids.”