Open toolbar About Locations & Services Blog & Press Donate Contact 1-800-544-0304 Geriatrics Career Development The Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals Since 2006, Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) of The New Jewish Home has supported New York City youth from under-resourced schools in pursuit of careers in health care. GCD is training the next generation of high-quality, culturally competent health care professionals while generating excitement and enthusiasm for career opportunities in health care serving older adults. Youth participants are fully immersed into the long-term care setting and provide more than 8,000 hours of companionship, activities and clinical care to older adults each year. The comprehensive curriculum trains young people to appreciate and gain a deep respect for older adults. BRIGHT FUTURES Help promising students from disadvantaged neighborhoods become health care heroes. The GCD program has made it possible for hundreds of bright students to access successful careers in health care. The New Jewish Home helped transform a shy high school girl into a confident medical student. Read her story. DONATE TO GCD OUR PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE EXPLORERS YOUNG ADULT ALUMNI HEALTH CARE EXPLORERS (HCE) PROGRAM (10th-12th grade, 14-19 years old) HCE serves 225 students annually in its three-year high school program in Bronx housing and the Manhattan division. HCE provides college readiness, health career exploration activities, internships, professional/older adult mentors, and clinical training. Youth can graduate with as many as five allied healthcare certifications (e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician), allowing them to immediately seek employment and have supplementary income while attending college. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 770 graduates since 2006 99% high school graduation rate 94% are currently employed and/or enrolled in or have completed post-secondary programs 84% obtain degrees 6 graduates enrolled in medical school 5 graduates enrolled in Ph.D. programs Over 300 internships awarded Graduating classes average $1,000,000 in scholarships/aid annually WHAT HCE OFFERS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Scholarships/Stipend for regularly attending participants Paid internship during senior year Free certification (Certified Nursing Assistant/Patient Care, Technician), SAT Prep, College Counseling/Trips, and Supper/Snack at each location Summer Program Academic Tutoring Professional development Mentors Skills training/Clinical Experience Interested in joining the HCE Program? Applications are now being accepted: Sign up here >> Roll-in applications are accepted based upon availability. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR HEALTH CARE EXPLORERS PROGRAM: Please reach out to Nicole Cash, GCD Director, HCE Program at ncash@jewishhome.org. HCE 19-20 SURVEY RESULTS Family (PDF) Student (PDF) HEALTH CARE EXPLORERS NEWSLETTER February 2019 (PDF) January 2019 (PDF) December 2018 (PDF) November 2018 (PDF) HCE ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORT 2018 (PDF) 2019 (PDF) 2020 (PDF) 2021 (PDF) In such a short time, I built bonds and become emotionally attached to both the residents and my supervisor. The geriatric community is who I want to help, and I know this is where I belong. My supervisor gave me a gift today to say I was doing a good job and she appreciated having me, which boosted my confidence even more. So I want to say thank you for this opportunity, your patience and words of wisdom. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you ! Coming into this internship, I did not know what was ahead of me. Throughout this journey, I stepped out of my comfort zone and was able to obtain skills that will further my health/science career. Not many people can say they are a Certified Nursing Assistant, at the age of 16, and certified in CPR at the age of 15. GCD made me realize the different aspects of life and going about your career. They truly showed an interest in my life and they helped me every step of the way. SONIA M. YOUNG ADULT (YA) PROGRAM (18-24 years old) GCD’s Young Adult Program, was launched in 2014 to address the needs of young people who are out-of-school, unemployed, and faced with multiple barriers. This free three-month program engages, trains, and supports disconnected young adults ages 18-24 to begin meaningful career paths in geriatric healthcare. Successful participants receive training to become either Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or certified Home Health Aides (HHAs). Our on-site staff supports participants with case management and referral services. Additionally GCD’s Young Adult program provides on-boarding services, professional development training, one-on-one coaching, and paid internships, as well as no-cost CNA/HHA training and certification followed by an opportunity for employment at The New Jewish Home. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 211 young adults have graduated from the GCD Young Adult program 76% have been hired by The New Jewish Home 54% are either enrolled in and/or have completed further education or training programs post-GCD YA PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT FROM Hands-on clinical skills training Contextualized professional development Paid internship in a skilled nursing facility Daily MetroCards Allied healthcare training (CNA/HHA) One-on-one coaching Motivational professional speakers Long-term employment opportunity Transitional support for alumni YA PROGRAM BREAKDOWN BY PHASE (PDF) Feel free to post and share! Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Are you an NYC resident between the ages of 18-24? Are you out of school & unemployed? If you answered “yes” to these questions, contact us at GCDAlumni@jewishhome.org or apply here. ALUMNI (WORKFORCE PROGRAM) Both the Health Care Explorers and Young Adult Programs feed into GCD’s Alumni Program, which offers support to GCD Alumni in meeting their academic and career goals. Services include ongoing check-ins and tracking, career services, direct connections to professional opportunities at The New Jewish Home, and referrals to outside resources such as free trainings, and professional development programming. Individual sessions are also provided on request to resolve personal issues, to establish and support educational goals, and to support Alumni in marketing themselves and obtaining employment. All GCD Alumni benefit from the following free services Resume and cover letter guidance Application assistance (work & college) Interview preparation References and recommendations Support with FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Direct access to employment opportunities at The New Jewish Home Referrals to employment & educational opportunities One-on-one life/school/career-planning sessions Volunteer/internship/shadowing opportunities at The New Jewish Home Public speaking opportunities Network-building and mentoring Alumni events and workshops FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALUMNI PROGRAM: Contact GCDAlumni@jewishhome.org It was such a privilege to be able to work as an Intern at The New Jewish Home. It was amazing; I was able to get along with the staff & the elderly people & interact with them. Now they feel like family to me. I’ve gained lots of experience & it warms my heart to be able to help others; this brings me joy. The staff members were great supporters when times were difficult for me & I wanted to quit & give up. They encouraged me to stay & were confident in me that I was able to complete the program. Even my co-workers whom I worked with saw this potential in me. Although I did not end up in the medical field, the GCD program paved a path for me, it gave me a direction to follow and the resources to use when following that direction. Most importantly, the program provided me with a lifelong family. Genille Gordon 2017 ALUMNI STUDENT: High School GCD (2016) Jimmy Perpina “Stay committed; this program will help you in the long run. My family is very proud.” FUNDER: Pinkerton Foundation Laurie Dien “GCD is such a unique grantee of ours. It’s the most supportive and all-encompassing program. The outcomes get better every year.” PARTNER: Stanley M. Isaacs Center Gregory Morris “The support is consistent and thoughtful so they get the coaching they need to be successful… I hope the GCD program, going forward, can influence other cities.” RESIDENT: The New Jewish Home Dominga M. “The kids from GCD help us in many ways. They call me their mentor. I love them very much.” GCD BLOG Geriatrics Career Development Featured on CBS 2 News CBS 2 News featured Francisca Fadairo, a remarkable high school senior in our Geriatrics Career Development Program (GCD). For the past 15 years, The New Jewish Home’s groundbreaking workforce development program has provided underserved high school students with allied health care certifications, college preparation, and invaluable experience caring for older adults. Instead of closing GCD when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we actually hired our GCD participants so they could continue to receive hands-on training and gain firsthand experience working on the front lines as health care heroes. Offering a Unique Solution to a Growing Nursing Home Workforce Challenge Since 2006, The New Jewish Home has trained underserved youth to create a workforce pipeline in long-term care. Learn more about our successful Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) program in this Skilled Nursing News article …Read More Finding Her Career Passion after Taking a Chance on a New Internship Darlene wasn’t sure what to expect, but she decided to take a chance on a new internship program at The New Jewish Home, which ended up opening the door to a fulfilling nursing career. Fifteen years ago, a high school student named Darlene Corporan accepted an invitation to participate in what was then a new internship program at The New Jewish Home. That decision that led to a career she loves, in a workplace that truly feels like home. Raised… …Read More From Shy High School Student to Confident Medical Student Grace was raised by a single, immigrant mother who encouraged her to work hard and aim high. Now, thanks to GCD, she’s off to medical school this fall. …Read More VIEW ALL BLOG ENTRIES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GCD PROGRAM: Contact John Cruz, Senior Director, Workforce Initiatives at (212) 870-4759 or jcruz@jewishhome.org. (212) 870-4759 120 West 106th St, New York, New York (map view) GCD ON FACEBOOK FUNDERS The New Jewish Home and GCD are grateful for the funding provided by: Foundations Government The Achelis and Bodman Foundation Altman Foundation Phyllis Backer Foundation, Inc. David Berg Foundation The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation Carl Marks Foundation The John P. & Constance A. Curran Charitable Foundation George Link Jr. Foundation, Inc. Hagedorn Fund Hyde and Watson Foundation Pinkerton Foundation Price Family Foundation Rudin Foundation Shippy Foundation UJA-Federation Teen Council Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer NYC Council Member Mark Levine NYC Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark Viverito NYC HRA Work Progress Program NYS DOH Child Nutrition Reimbursement NYS Education Department 21st Century Community Learning Centers CONTACT INFORMATION Contact Us 1-800-544-0304 OUR LOCATIONS Manhattan Bronx Westchester Solutions at Home® EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Careers ADDITIONAL PAGES Annual Report Staff Links Resources Embracing Diversity Compliance Form 990s Pandemic Emergency Plan – Manhattan Pandemic Emergency Plan – Westchester Media Inquiries NEWSLETTER SIGN UP Fields marked with an * are required Full Name Email * © Copyright The New Jewish Home. 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