Washington D.C.-based school for adults receives $50,000 to build the next generation of healthcare professionals
Newark, Del. – (January 6, 2023) – Kendal Charitable Funds awarded Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School with the 2022 Promising Innovations Grant for $50,000. Every year, Kendal Charitable Funds – the charitable arm of senior living and aging service provider, The Kendal Corporation – seeks to put out a Request for Proposals focusing on a specific topic and accepts proposals from non-profits for projects that will positively impact the lives of older adults in our society through creative, innovative and replicable strategies or programs.
Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School will use this funding to support its Healthcare Career Pathways program, which includes Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, for a 24-month grant period from January 2023 to December 2024. Academy of Hope will train and certify 50 adult learners as CNAs through its hands-on and in-depth training program that includes clinical training and job shadowing opportunities. Academy of Hope’s program prepares CNA graduates for jobs in the healthcare field, as well as the field of senior living and aging services, where CNAs become focused on serving the older adult population.
“We’re so grateful to partner with Kendal Charitable Funds to help fortify our talent pipeline for Academy of Hope’s CNA graduates. With these funds we can continue to help CNA graduates move directly into high-demand jobs at residential communities for older adults,” said Chief Executive Officer Lecester Johnson. “With the highest CNA passage rate in the District and Kendal’s support, Academy of Hope learners are eager and ready to put their skills to work where needed most in our community.”
The grant funds for this project will provide a budget of $1,000 per CNA learner for textbooks and workbooks, training supplies and materials such as practice lab equipment, and instructor and employment specialist salaries.
The Promising Innovations Grant Selection Committee selected Academy of Hope due to its potential for change and replication. Diane Massey, Interim Executive Director of Kendal Charitable Funds shares, “Our committee was most impressed by the meaningful collaborations and partnerships that Academy of Hope has established that allow students to engage in experiential learning, the meaningful impact on the lives of individual learners and the community as well as their excellent track record with their programs.”
Through this funding, Academy of Hope will be able to serve more adult learners eagerly seeking economic self-sufficiency for themselves and their loved ones through high-demand careers in the healthcare sector. They will also be able to address the shortage of qualified healthcare workers in Washington, D.C.