Tamia Brooks (left) participated in our program at Harper Woods High School and was mentored by Ursula Douglas, Managing Partner, Sprout Consulting Group (center).
Tamia Brooks never thought she’s be in the trenches fighting a worldwide pandemic. But that’s exactly where she is.
Tamia attended our Workforce Prep program as a student at Harper Woods High School. Following graduation, she attended Macomb Community College where she trained to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
“I had severe asthma, seizures, and allergic reactions as a child,” said Tamia. “Seeing how nice the nurses were to me made me want to give back. I wanted to be that nurse who helped little girls, like I was helped.”
Today, Tamia works as a CNA at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. While she loves her work, it’s quite different now than she ever imagined. As hospitals struggle to treat COVID-19 patients, the related stress and anxiety can be overwhelming.
“A co-worker passed away despite wearing the proper protective gear and taking the necessary precautions. You do everything you’re supposed to do, but you can still get the virus. It’s scary.”
The life skills Tamia learned in our program have served her well. Not only did she develop and achieve her academic and career goals, she also learned how to deal with difficult situations and stress.
“I learned a lot from the program. Most important for me today, I learned how to manage stress using things like breathing techniques.”
We salute those outstanding people, like Tamia, who are on the COVID-19 front lines, risking their personal well-being for the betterment and comfort of others. Thank you, Tamia. We are very proud of you!
Students need help now more than ever. We are currently taking applications for virtual or in-person mentoring in the 2020-21 schoolyear. We make it easy to mentor with training, structured activities, and continuous on-site support. For employers, mentoring has a positive impact on employee morale and loyalty. Learn more or apply.