ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla-- Teaira Reed’s mother was in a serious car accident in 2015. “Which resulted in her being taken to the hospital and eventually to a nursing home," Reed said.
Tanya Oliver would pass a year later.
“I was kind of devastated, I couldn’t help her, I didn’t know how," Reed remembered. It’s that memory, that has pushed the 24-year-old to explore a career in health care.
Reed is part of the first group of participants in the Lincoln Park Career Pathways program.
At Indian River State College’s Blackburn Campus in Fort Pierce, the 22 students are working towards becoming certified nursing assistants, or earning certifications for manufacturing and distribution jobs.
“Learn a skill that’s going to give them a livable wage right in their community," says Melanie George.
She's a Lincoln Park career consultant and says the key is getting any potential roadblocks out of the way.
“We provide not only training, but provide and pay for transportation, child care,” said George.
The program is specifically for people who live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood -- and it is free.
The program has the support of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, and a $400,000 grant from Allegany Franciscan Ministries, who met with people in the community.
"Respond to what the community asked us to do with them which is to create quality jobs on livable wages," said Upendo Shabazz with Allegany Franciscan Ministries.
The next eight-week program will start in late March. Funding will support job training for 175 residents.
If you’re interested, contact IRSC at 772-462-7100.
