Where many programs stop, this one keeps going. The Certified Nurses Assistant training through St. Luke's Ministry in Denver provides encouragement when others don't, language skills when others cannot, and job placement assistance and long term career support when others have long gone.

"I am living my dream," says Sister Lily, a nurse in the order of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Sister Lily received her CNA training through St. Luke's Ministry, and now works at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home.

Lily says her love and respect for the elderly came from her native Chinese culture, but her know-how and understanding of her patients came from the St. Luke's training program. "At the beginning, I was afraid, but step by step, I learned," she says. Students in the program conduct much of their clinical training at the Little Sisters of the Poor home, and as many as 20% of the students are later placed there in full-time jobs.

Sister Lily has been working at the residential facility full time since last July. Like most of the other students in the program, she is a success story. Ninety-five percent of the students complete the course; 90% pass the state CNA Certification Exam; and 90% of the program graduates will be employed within three months with placement help from St. Luke's.

The students get work as CNAs or enroll in school to pursue additional certification and degrees in the health care field.The program's director, Roger Swier, M. Ed., says seeing his former students on the job is "pay day" for him and for the program's lead instructor, Joan Balaguer, R.N. Speak to just about any current or former student and they say just what this current student says, "I never knew I would go so far. We appreciate this program, and we will never forget you...

"WHY WE FUNDED IT:
Collaboration, Community Support, Outcome-Based, Innovation

• The program is innovative in addressing critical issues on two fronts: helping low-income people into the health care field and addressing a shortage of health care workers.
• The program successfully screens students who are interested in or already working in the health care field and supports them with critical areas that have been traditional barriers to success including language competency.
•  St. Luke's Ministry creates successful community alliances that assist with student support and job placement.