(left to right) Lori Saia, secretary of Builders Without Borders of Texas; Kim Reed, president of Builders Without Borders of Texas; San Jacinto College students Karl Batiste and Teranesha Soloman; and Judith Yonley, Certified Nursing Assistant instructor. Photo credit: Jeannie Peng-Armao, San Jacinto College marketing department

CNA students learn to give back the gift of care

Jeannie Peng-Armao -- January 14, 2013

PASADENA, Texas – Sometimes a helping hand may inspire one to pursue a career as a caregiver. That help came in the form of basic needs for Karl Batiste and Teranesha Soloman, who decided to use their chance at a college education to become caregivers. 

"Everybody needs help from time to time," said Batiste, as he and Soloman recently received their first college certificate in certified nursing assistant (CNA) through San Jacinto College. "This is my first step in giving back to others."

Both students applied to the nine-week CNA course with financial assistance from the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) through the College's Continuing and Professional Development (CPD) division, while at the same time receiving housing and transportation from Builders Without Borders of Texas. 

"I had really given up hope at one point," said Batiste. "I thought life for me was on the street, but now, I'm thinking about my next step in college.” Batiste added that he hopes to one day work in a hospital, while Soloman plans to pursue training in medical imaging.

A college education makes sense when helping people obtain the skills necessary to earn a living, according to Kim Reed, president of Builders Without Borders of Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing, education, and medical services to people experiencing hardships. Reed has helped many Houstonians get back on their feet and complete programs at San Jacinto College to gain employment.

"We've sent several students through San Jacinto College," said Reed. "The CNA course is a great entry-level course, and the College is very inviting and open to what they need in education. We helped one woman earn her CNA certificate who is now earning a bachelor's degree at the University of Houston."

Judith Yonley, CNA instructor and a registered nurse, said CNA graduates often move on to work for rehabilitation centers and hospices, or train to become medical imaging technicians, nurses, and doctors. 

"I see a lot of students grow in this course and decide to further pursue careers in health care," said Yonley. "It's rewarding. When someone finds himself or herself needing help, they lose a little self confidence. They get some of that confidence back when they're able to touch another person's life through health care."

About the Continuing and Professional Development division
This noncredit division of the College provides training for both current and future employees in the professional and technical job sectors, as well as provides participants with open enrollment course options to enhance their lives. Professional and technical training is available through contract training, open enrollment and grant funding. For more information, call 281-476-1838.

About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.