As a new graduate Registered Nurse, I would like to thank 1199SEIU and the Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) for where I am today. This program takes a chance on the potential of young individuals like me and believes in greatness. I don’t come from a family of healthcare professionals, so to achieve something as demanding as nursing school and pass my NCLEX on the first attempt made me truly believe I have greatness in me.

My experience during the YMP opened a door to opportunities for me, and it made me realize how much I wanted to join the nursing profession. It was because of this program that I was chosen among 200 people to enter a very competitive nursing program. Every sacrifice, every obstacle I have endured was because this program took a chance on me and believed I had greatness in my future. I would not be the successful person I am today had I not been a part of the YMP.

Six years later, I never would have thought I’d be a college graduate from nursing school, with my license as a Registered Nurse and my first job as a Cardiac Stepdown Nurse at North Shore University Hospital. A true Cinderella story indeed. I am eternally grateful for all the support my friends, family and Northwell Health have offered me. I hope my story inspires young individuals to believe in greatness and tap into their true potential as well. The future is very bright, and I can’t wait to begin my journey as a Registered Nurse helping those in need with a caring hand.

My experience with the 1199SEIU WorkForce 2000 Pre-RN program has been a transformative journey that has shaped my path toward becoming a Registered Nurse. For anything to be successful, there must be a strong foundation, and the Pre-RN program has been that strong foundation for me. The self-confidence, skill sets and sense of community that this program gave me are the reasons I am a nurse today. I had the privilege of meeting like-minded individuals who shared my passion for nursing.

Together, we formed a network of friends and colleagues who provided invaluable support throughout my journey. While the journey was not without its challenges, these obstacles served as valuable learning opportunities. I learned to manage stress, communicate effectively with colleagues and adapt to the fast-paced nature of healthcare. The program’s emphasis on critical thinking and problemsolving skills proved invaluable, enabling me to make sound decisions in nursing school.

I had the chance to visit various healthcare facilities, gaining exposure to different specialties and healthcare environments. The program included Saturday classes throughout the school year where we had the opportunity to work closely with the Pre-RN coordinators to help really gear us toward a future in nursing. During this time, there were numerous informative guest speakers who taught us about the core of nursing and the constant changes of healthcare. They also educated us on loans, scholarships, college applications, resumes and so much more. I had the opportunity to be involved in health fair presentations and mini-documentaries that really helped me expand my skill set and grow as a student. These experiences broadened my perspective and solidified my passion for nursing.

I am profoundly grateful for the Pre-RN coordinators who played a pivotal role in my journey toward becoming a nurse. The Pre-RN coordinators were not just educators; they were advocates for our success. They always ensured that we had access to the resources and opportunities required for our growth and development as aspiring nurses. They celebrated our achievements and encouraged us to reach our full potential. Their influence will forever shape my approach to nursing and my dedication to helping others as they have helped me. I am blessed to say that I graduated from Molloy University with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in May 2023 and am now a New York State – Certified RN. I owe much success—and am forever grateful— to the Pre-RN program for the strong foundation they laid for me.

CCC programs support kids and teens from adolescence to adulthood, with opportunities for personal and academic development to help them reach their goals. Last year, seven program alumni who had aged out of the Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program (ASC) received a CCC scholarship to attend their camp’s Leader-in-Training (LIT) or Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. ASC participants frequently demonstrate significant growth in leadership skill development, and, often, participation in a camp’s leadership program can lead directly to employment.

• Cory Peters, the son of Nicole Lewis Peters (Stony Brook Southampton), who has been attending Greenwood Trails since 2017, attended Greenwood’s CIT Program. As a CIT participant, Cory took on duties and responsibilities around camp to develop his leadership skills and prepare for a future role as a Junior Counselor.
• Six additional children received a CCC scholarship to attend a general ASC camp program. In these instances, the child was either the underage sibling of an ASC-eligible camper or the member was no longer eligible for ASC.
• Osagiemagbon Idehen, the son of Ivie Omoruyi (One Brooklyn Health – Brookdale), attended Camp Shohola for Boys for his first campexperience through ASC.

We had another exciting summer with the Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program (ASC)! ASC offers children ages 9 to 15 a wide range of summer sleep-away camps throughout the Northeast. With camp experiences focused on arts, technology and athletics, there’s something for every interest level, all in a natural setting prime for outdoor adventure. Last summer, 719 children of 590 members attended sleep-away camp (a 6.7 percent increase from 2022). An estimated 677 children of 563 members attended through one of the program’s 23 contracted camp providers, located across seven states throughout the Northeast. Additionally, four children of four members took advantage of the newly added one-week trial sessions, which were offered by select camps to first-time campers ages 9 to 11.

Among our seven classrooms, FALC Preschool and Pre-K teachers of students ages 2 to 5 spent a month collaborating and planning for an epic outdoor FALC Olympics/Field Day, filled with creative, rigorous gross motor activities and meaningful learning experiences for all FALC children. On Friday, June 17, 2022, teachers brought props, supplies and equipment, such as hula hoops, balls, balance beams, mats and poly spots to transform the tennis courts of St. James Park into a colorful sports arena. This well-orchestrated event was our last center-wide hurrah before the end of the school year.

Each class chose up to two activities to put the children’s skill sets and creativity to the test in a healthy competition in which all were winners! Each class got suited up in bright t-shirts, decorative accessories and/or face paint reflective of a specific color of the rainbow to represent their individual class team. Mr. Kenya kicked off the festivities with a toot of his whistle as teachers did a mock run of the obstacle course, modeling each activity that the children would complete, which were similar to the exercises that they have routinely done in class.

The outdoor experience electrified the staff and children, as they eagerly cheered and laughed while jumping, running and hopping through obstacle courses and using spray bottles in relay races. The staff guided and supported children as they balanced on beams, shot basketballs into a hoop and ran the length of the tennis court. Due to the hot weather, children were given water to stay hydrated and spray bottles to cool off, resulting in some well-received “water spritz fights.” At the closing of the FALC Olympics/Field Day, all of the classrooms joined together to create a grand rainbow portrait and received medals for a job well done. Everyone had an awesome time but were understandably looking forward to returning to the comfort of the air-conditioned Center. This event will surely become a staple of our FALC annual activities based on the successful participation and response.

• The Youth Mentoring Program (YMP) continues to provide teenage children of 1199SEIU members with work and learning opportunities to boost their professional development skills. For the first time since 2019, all participants were on site and worked in person.
• In 2023, 171 1199SEIU youth were selected to participate in the YMP. The program offers a six-week hybrid summer employment opportunity at participating nursing home facilities and healthcare institutions across New York City. Interns built educational and on-the job competencies throughout the program, helping to prepare them for careers in healthcare and beyond.
• Interns completed projects on health-related topics and presented at the YMP closing ceremony, held at the end of the summer. Project topics included mental health, nutrition, exercise and positive body image. Abigail Thomas, who worked at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and Ernissa St. Louis, who worked at Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, were selected as this year’s cohort representative speakers for their professionalism and outstanding work ethic.