Program Details

Delilah came to OAI with limited healthcare experience and no access to transportation. Still, she demonstrated a drive to succeed and a willingness to receive training and guidance from the OAI Youth Career Pathway (YCP) team. She completed OAI’s youth boot camp on foundational skills and started Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training.

Delilah experienced transportation issues early in her training, which she shared with the OAI YCP team. Aware of Delilah’s potential, OAI worked with her to develop a plan and provided supportive services to alleviate transportation and scheduling challenges. The team also provided guidance and support to help Delilah secure an internship site closer to her home on the city’s northside.

Delilah did not stop after passing her CNA state board exam and completing her internship. Supported by OAI, Delilah completed Phlebotomy training and registered as a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Now, she is working as a Patient Care Technician at Loyola Gottlieb Memorial Hospital and studying for a nursing program as a registered student at Triton College.

Here is a quote from one email Delilah sent to the OAI team after she completed the program:

“I just want to thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the CNA program because it really did make a difference from where I was before I discovered this program! I was able to qualify for the PCT position, and it’s been two years in the making to achieve this goal! My life turned around within six months because of this OAI program which I am incredibly grateful for!”