Brooklyn Center Nonprofit Offering Free CNA Training to Refugees, Asylees
A Brooklyn Center nonprofit is working to build up one much-needed part of the health care workforce.
The Minnesota African Women’s Association (MAWA) restarted its efforts to train certified nursing assistants. That is thanks to a federal grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Refugees, human trafficking victims and people who have been granted asylum after 2020 are eligible for the free training at the North American Medical Academy.
MAWA Executive Director Melissa Nambangi said this career path is particularly culturally appropriate.
“It is something that we do all the time,” Nambangi said. “Its a culturally significant trait and is a skill that many women do and embrace. They also love the fact that it is a field that is always having jobs available.”
Nambangi knows the program is successful from experience. About 10 years ago, MAWA used a DEED grant to put 219 African women through a certification program. Many of those women still work in nursing homes across the Twin Cities metro region.
Nambangi said the funds pay for the training, transportation and childcare costs. Admission is rolling.
If you are eligible, or know someone who is, MAWA asks you to reach out.
More details on the requirements are available on MAWA’s Facebook page. You can contact MAWA staff by calling Robert Musi at 763-898-3038 or emailing at mawacnaproject@gmail.com.
