San Diego's future healthcare workers just got a booster shot in the arm through a hefty grant aimed at helping youngsters carve out their careers. The San Diego Housing Commission's affiliate, SDHC Building Opportunities Inc., received a $604,000 windfall from the Prebys Foundation to propel a program that trains young adults in the medical field. This generous funding is part of a larger philanthropic spree totaling $30.6 million disbursed across the region.
The cash injection will fund the "Healthcare Career Catalyst for Young Adults", an initiative giving 18- to 26-year-olds in lower-income brackets a chance to become Certified Medical Assistants. The program is set to change lives, according to Jeff Davis, SDHC Interim President & CEO, who said, "The opportunity for a career in healthcare as a Certified Medical Assistant can be life-changing for young adults in families with low income" in a statement obtained by San Diego Housing Commission. "This program is a significant, positive step to support these youth," he added.
The generosity of the Prebys Foundation isn't going unnoticed. Grant Oliphant, CEO of the foundation, declared, "Our communities are better thanks to the work of the San Diego Housing Commission." He expressed his pride in backing their mission with a significant investment, urging others to acknowledge and support the SDHC's endeavors. The program expands on a previous collaboration that helped nearly 200 people graduate as Certified Nursing Assistants.
A partnership with the International Rescue Committee’s Center for Economic Opportunity is in place to bolster the program, which will be delivered through online classes and hands-on sessions in medical facilities. Of the over 4,800 potential participants identified, more than half belong to Hispanic, Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Colour (BIPOC) communities, revealing a significant opportunity to diversify the healthcare workforce. Various valuable resources, from credit-building loans to monthly stipends, are also part of the comprehensive support participants will receive.
The SDHC Achievement Academy, known for its focus on career and financial education for low-income households, will be the bedrock for this program. Their proven track record in job skills and placement greatly enhances the chances of program participants breaking into the healthcare industry successfully.
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