
Daughters of Zion Empowers CNA Aspirants and Dreamers in Shelby County
By: Staff on January 19, 2025
SHELBY COUNTY, TN—— The journey to any point in life always has a motivation that mobilizes you into making preparations. Daughters of Zion is pleased to be a catalyst in the journey of residents of Shelby County who have dreams of being employed in the healthcare field. In fulfilling its mission of fighting poverty and creating opportunities for the marginalized and underserved – DOZ recognizes that the CNA program offers a bridge between dreams and reality. Today we will highlight some dreamers who would like to live the reality of being a Certified Nursing Assistant and we are humbled by the fact that they all see us as their first and only choice to make their dreams a reality and that we are recommended favorably by our past students.
Our first dreamer is Nadia Hardy.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF – I was born and raised in Memphis and I am 23 years old. I have two boys – ages three and ten months and I am a single parent.
ARE YOU WORKING RIGHT NOW? – I am currently unemployed because I can’t get daycare assistance without a job – as the state says I have to work at least 30 hours to get the assistance – and I can’t find a job without having daycare assistance.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A CNA? – I did a course in Medical Terminology at Job Corps and I want to further my education in the medical field.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT DOZ? – I heard about the program from my mentor – Ms. Porcha Hardy. She is a past student of the program
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO ANY OTHER PROGRAM? – This is the only program that I have applied to.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE? – It will open up more doors/opportunities for me as it will be a way for me to start working towards my career in healthcare.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A POTENTIAL FOR RECEIVING A SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSIONER SCHOLARSHIP? I would be honored to receive one.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO SHELBY COUNTY ONCE YOU ARE TRAINED? – I plan on using my credentials by working in local hospitals/clinics. I am going to find ways to give back to the community also.
Nadia Hardy and her children
Our second dreamer is Ms. Tyesha Williams.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF – My name is Tyesha Williams and I am 37 years old. I am from Mississippi and I have three beautiful children – two girls and a boy.
ARE YOU WORKING RIGHT NOW? – I am unemployed.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A CNA? – I want to be a CNA for several reasons – 1. I want to work in a new field. I have always worked in the corrections field so I want a change and; 2. I have always wanted to become a nurse. Things have happened in my life that have prevented it but now I feel like this is the time to do what I have always wanted to do.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT DOZ? – I heard about the DOZ program through a former CNA student.
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO ANY OTHER PROGRAM? – I have not tried to apply to another program.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE? – Being in the healthcare field is going to be a good thing for me. I can learn a lot and I will be able to help my family.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A POTENTIAL FOR RECEIVING A SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSIONER SCHOLARSHIP? – I would be astounded.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO SHELBY COUNTY ONCE YOU ARE TRAINED? – I plan to help others too.
Tyesha Williams and her children
Our third dreamer is Ms. Adriana McWright
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF – I am from Memphis and I am 30 years old.
ARE YOU WORKING RIGHT NOW? – I am currently working full time but it’s not my ideal job so I know I want to do more and push myself further.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A CNA? – I am passionate about becoming a CNA because caretaking just comes naturally to me and that is what I love to do – care for others in need.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT DOZ? – I heard about DOZ through a friend of mine who recently earned her license.
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO ANY OTHER PROGRAM? – No, I have not tried any other CNA programs in Memphis.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE? – This program will change my life because I will have the opportunity to work in my dream career. I believe becoming a CNA will open a lot of doors for me.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A POTENTIAL FOR RECEIVING A SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSIONER SCHOLARSHIP? – That sounds great – I would be honored to receive a Shelby County Commissioner Scholarship.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO SHELBY COUNTY ONCE YOU ARE TRAINED? – I will continue to be a good citizen and I plan on purchasing a home after completing the program. I plan to motivate others as well.
Adriana McWright
Our fourth dreamer is Mrs. Sabrina Briggs
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF – I am originally from Baton Rouge Louisiana and I have been living in Memphis for over 20 years. I am 42 years old, married with five children.
ARE YOU WORKING RIGHT NOW? – I am an Esthetician – I own my own business. I do waxing, skincare and facials.
HOW IS BUSINESS? – It has its ups and downs – I have been doing it for seven years – I am trained in the field. I was doing clerical work before but I wanted to be a business owner.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A CNA? – I want to be in the medical field. The CNA program is at the entry level of healthcare and I have dreams of being a Registered Nurse. My long-term goal is to turn the business into a medical spa.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT DOZ? – I got a text message from DOZ because I am a participant in other programs so I am in the database.
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO ANY OTHER PROGRAM? – Only this one – it popped up on my phone and I saw that as a sign that this is the one I should choose.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE? – The CNA Program will allow me to get a foot in the door of healthcare to take me to my destiny of being a RN.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A POTENTIAL FOR RECEIVING A SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSIONER SCHOLARSHIP? – I feel excited and hopeful that I will be a part of the program.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO SHELBY COUNTY ONCE YOU ARE TRAINED? – I want to open doors for others and I am looking forward to being able to offer employment.
Sabrina Briggs with her spouse and children
Our fifth dreamer is Ms Jerrisha Minnis.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF – I’m Jerrisha Minnis – a very determined and positive person. I was raised by my granny who is my heart so I have an old soul. I’m very talented and I have very big goals to achieve.
ARE YOU WORKING RIGHT NOW? – Yes, I currently work as a caregiver which I have been doing for about four years.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A CNA? – Being a CNA is not just a job – I adore helping to make others’ lives easier or better.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT DOZ? – I saw the information for the program on social media.
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO ANY OTHER PROGRAM? – I have been trying to get into this program for a while – this will be my second attempt.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE? – This program will not only allow me to live my life but give me a chance to give the same love, comfort and care that I give to my granny to others. My granny raised me – she is my heart in human form so I have an old soul.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A POTENTIAL FOR RECEIVING A SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSIONER SCHOLARSHIP? – I am so excited – it would be such a blessing.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO SHELBY COUNTY ONCE YOU ARE TRAINED? – I am so ready and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me. I love making the elderly smile and to brighten their day – they really need it.
Jerrisha Minnis