On Saturday, February 1, 2020, the Learning and Training Center at Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) hosted a graduation ceremony at The Harrell Family Opportunity Center for 55 new graduates, along with their family and friends.
As part of United Way’s THRIVE program, vocational scholarships sponsoring continuing education at Lone Star College and NAM are awarded to qualifying adults for training in careers such as welding, certified nursing assistant, administrative assistant, accounting assistant, HVAC, and more. Participants of the NAM THRIVE program receive free tuition, books, financial coaching, and job placement assistance. Classes at NAM are held on Saturdays or evenings to accommodate working students.
“By taking this opportunity these students are moving closer to reaching their goals, for achieving success,” said Mary Silbert, Director of NAM’s Learning and Training Center. “Completion of these vocational training classes opens doors for them and gives them the tools they need for a better future.”
For this recent group of proud graduates, 9 of them now hold a certificate that will allow them to become a Community Health Worker; 22 are Certified Nurse Aides, and 10 out of those 22 students are preparing to become a Patient Care Technician; 6 are Certified Sterile Processing Technicians, 11 received Administrative Professional training, and 7 are certified in Word/Excel.
“These students guaranteed a high-quality education for themselves and we hope that will inspire their children to go to college, and then the next generation, and the next, and so on,” said Brian Carr, Chief Advancement Officer at NAM. “In these tough times, education is the strongest weapon against challenging global circumstances.”
NAM’s Learning and Training Center offers many career development services. They also offer free ESL and GED classes, job search assistance, along with resume help and interviewing skills.
Anyone interested in more information about the services offered at the Learning and Training Center please click here or call 281-885-4616.
The Learning and Training Center at NAM provides adult students with the vocational training they need to start a new career. During the fiscal year 2018-2019, the Learning and Training Center awarded 86 clients with vocational training scholarships and provided GED and ESL classes to 489 students.
Northwest Assistance Ministries is a non-profit, community-based social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas such as food, shelter, health, education and domestic violence awareness and intervention. During its last fiscal year, NAM touched the lives of more than 132,000 people through its many programs and services.