Jeremiah's Hope Skills Center (Birmingham, Ala.)
www.stvhs.com
Jeremiah's Hope Skills Center, a program of St. Vincent's Health System in Birmingham, Ala., aims to teach underprivileged, underemployed and unemployed individuals, specifically single mothers, the skills necessary to obtain and maintain a job. Teaching students workplace competency—such as the importance of being punctual and reliable, giving proper notice for time off, and the ability to accept criticism—are key elements of the program. Jeremiah's Hope also emphasizes technical skills and workplace etiquette. "The program gives participants tools to become independent wage earners and competent employees who recognize their own dignity and worth," said Sr. Dinah White, DC, senior vice president of mission integration for St. Vincent's Health System.
Jeremiah's Hope was initiated in December 2002 with a start-up grant from the Daughters of Charity foundation Mission & Ministries Inc. to address a growing need for skilled healthcare workers. Since its inception, the program has trained over 300 individuals for entry-level jobs in health care at St. Vincent's and other Birmingham-area hospitals.
