Encouragement, Elation, Excitement – Daughters of Zion Family Certified Nursing Assistant Program Continues To Help Make Dreams Come True
By Staff on December 16, 2024
MEMPHIS, TN ——Encouragement Elation Excitement – As Daughters of Zion Close the Year with the 8th CNA Graduation Class
It was a night of joy, love, laughter and some tears as the 8th CNA Cohort of students from Daughters of Zion, a state of Tennessee Family First Grantee, took center stage on November 19, 2024, at 4400 Hickory Hill Rd in Memphis. The families and friends of the graduates turned out in full force as it was one of the largest graduation attendance out of all 8 cohorts. Marco Love stood tall as the only male graduate among a group of female graduates – many of them wanted to take a picture with him as they knew that it was a special moment. Marco’s first contact with the program was in July as he was trying to get into the August cohort but because of poor execution, he was not able to make the deadline. He did not make the same mistake twice and was all smiles with his family on hand to celebrate the occasion.
Danielle Whitney burst through the doors of the graduation hall with so much confidence and joy in her step, knowing that she overcame a lot to make it to the finish line. It was three days before the deadline when she heard about the program and she did not let the timeframe deter her. She mustered up all her courage, got all her documents together and stuck through the class even when she felt like giving up. She knew she had to do it for her daughter.
Robin Dunn also missed opportunities to be in previous cohorts as her initial contact with the project via the Project Coordinator was in April of 2024. She attended a couple of the Financial Literacy and Soft Skills Online classes but never turned in the additional documents to enroll in the CNA portion of the program, However she made the leap to enroll upon hearing that it was the last class of the year. Her family was on hand to celebrate with her as she was radiant with her achievement.
Cora Stucky no doubt is the unofficial leader of the troop. Her natural leadership made her a motivator for the team and it was clear that she was ‘Mother Hen’ as she brought a single stem rose for all the graduates. Cora was one of the first graduates to arrive for the ceremony and she greeted her classmates with a hug that said – yes you did it. Her daughter was beaming with so much pride for her accomplishments and it is clear that seeds of greatness have been planted.
The evening was filled with words of encouragement from the dance performance, the students, and the program staff:
Tavarean Everhart – praise performer from Jesus People Church Performing Arts Ministry performed to the words of Donald Lawerence – ‘Sometimes You Have to Encourage Yourself’;
Kamisha Williams, student – “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead;
Taryka Walker. Program Tutor and past graduate of the program – You are diamonds in the rough – They may not be fully polished, but they possess great potential and hidden talents- she also bought nursing kit gift bags for the graduates;
Nurse Barbara Jones, Program Instructor – Quoted Audrey Hepburn – Nothing is impossible. The words itself say I’m possible
Monique Wade – Coordinator of the Youth Tutoring Program and MC for the graduation – – you can accomplish a lot.. keep going,,, become a nurse… become a doctor;
Natalee Peart Simpson – Project Coordinator and Speaker for the event – you made a move and don’t stop moving.
There was a feeling of accomplishment on the staff, students, families and friends at the end of the event because they knew that Daughters of Zion had accomplished its goal of fighting poverty through training low income individuals as nursing assistants.
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