From Retail to Rehabilitation
Laila is an Out-of-School Youth participant from the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) program, a GST Michigan Works! service provider. Laila has been interested in a healthcare career since she was a child and she has a passion for helping others. After graduating high school Laila was working as a retail associate at a local shoe store when her mother was told about the FHEO program by a Phlebotomist who had been a previous participant.
Before beginning healthcare training, Laila completed 120 hours of Life Skills and Healthcare Career Exploration training hosted by Flint Strive. Laila shared that she learned more about herself, how to be professional, and how to balance work and life.
Laila also said that she created a family like bond with her classmates.
Laila pursued Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training with Charter Healthcare Training Center. The FHEO program covered the cost of Laila’s tuition, including textbooks, uniforms, and certification exams. Laila said, “I was thinking about joining the healthcare field from a love of science and math approach. But after doing my research and talking with my classmates I realized that I wanted to be more hands-on, and I wanted to see what nursing would be like, so I chose CNA and I love it.” Laila also shared that her experience at Charter Healthcare Training Center was amazing. “Everyone there is so nice and caring. They encouraged us to not be afraid to ask questions. We learned so much from the hands-on approach at clinicals.”
Shortly after completing training and passing her certification exam, Laila partnered with the FHEO program for job placement assistance. The FHEO program connected Laila to McLaren Flint, and she was offered a job as a CNA. Laila greatly enjoys her job and loves working in the rehabilitation department. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Nursing degree. Laila shares, “FHEO changed my life by putting me in the position that I’m in now. They helped build me as a person. I’m thankful for the FHEO program, Flint Strive, and Charter Health Care Training Center.”