Work First Success
If you talk to Danika Rhodes or Desi Holmes, you can understand how valuable the Work First program has been to them. These two young women, both single parents, both recent graduates of the Medical Front Office program, are both working for Franciscan Medical Group after doing an 11-week certificate program and an 8-week internship.
They are excited about the direction their lives are going in now. They both complement their instructors for helping them gain real work experience while understanding their real life issues. All they wanted was a hand up and to be employed so they could meet their financial needs of rent, day care, food and bills.
Desi & Danika are excited about the direction
of their lives.
Their enthusiasm is contagious and their outlook is positive. In fact, that is what kept Danika going through the entire course: positive affirmations that she could complete the course and was a worthwhile person. These affirmations often kept the other students motivated as well. She says that the course prepared her for the work environment and she now helps her co-workers because of that preparation.
Desi says she learned accountability, increased her self-esteem and now looks at all the possibilities surrounding her. Her favorite part of her job is being on-call to work in any department because it is so interesting to find out what happens around the hospital. Danika sees how valuable education can be and expressed her interest in continuing on in school. Desi says she started in the program because of the brochure she read that said "internships available" and she knew that meant getting a job.
Instructors Suzanne Fletcher-Petrich and Bethel Wolfe were obviously instrumental in the success of these two young women, but they give credit back to the students. They know that success comes from hard work and perseverance, overcoming obstacles and building on every learning experience. They can easily prepare students academically, but building up the human being on the inside gives them a real sense of accomplishment and this program is fortunate to have this team of talented instructors.
