(DETROIT) - Seven Detroit high school seniors will receive their certificate on Friday for completing the American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) program, through a pilot program just completed at David Trombly High School.

Bringing the NAT program to the alternative Detroit high school was a partnership between The Holley Foundation, Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church, the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter and David Trombly High School.

“Because of the challenges these students face, we’ve all put a lot of effort and time into their training, to ensure their success,” said BJ White, Health Care Program Coordinator for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross.

The tuition for the Red Cross program was covered by The Holley Foundation. Yet the foundation is quick to point out that it partnered closely with the other organizations. Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church provided uniforms for the students, all young women, to wear on their jobs. The church also supplied equipment to the schools, a necessary component for off-site Red Cross NAT training.

David Trombly invited the Red Cross to teach the course, and the Southeastern Michigan Chapter went above and beyond, also. Anika Bailey, RN, NAT Program Manager, who taught the students, brought the students breakfast each day so that they could be mentally alert for the training. “They told me I didn’t need to bring it, but I told them they needed their nourishment because the training lasted six hours each day,” Bailey said. The high school NAT course was an accelerated one taught over a few weeks.

Further, the Red Cross and the church are helping the students to successfully complete the state exam by covering the cost of the state exam prep training. Further, the organizations are helping the seven young women with getting a job after graduation in June, White said.

“They are all so proud to have completed this course. And they know it will help prepare them to be successful,” White added.

Upon successful completion of the state exam, the young women will be able to work in the high-growth medical field in a hospital or extended care facility. Nurse assistants help with basic patient care skills such as taking vital signs, and also assist patients with daily tasks such as eating and bathing.

But for now, students, school administrators, family members and members of the partnering organizations will all be attending the certificate ceremony at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in Detroit on Friday. Even members of the Holley family are flying in from around the country to attend. The school is hoping they will be joined by Robert Bobb, Detroit Public School’s emergency financial manager, and the district superintendant, who were also invited to attend.

About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter

The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.

# # #