The Education Fund meets and greets SEIU stewards

May 11, 2022 | News

From left to right: Brenda Grant (Customer Care Representative I), Tiffanie Young (Registered Respiratory Therapist), Meg Niemi (President SEIU L49), Lisa Smith (Certified Surgical Tech), Michelle Wolfe (Diet Aide / Food Service Worker), Zeny Ehrlich (Northwest Regional Coordinator, the Education Fund), Alexis Aiello (Speech-Language Pathologist), and Lacey Douglas (Ultrasound Tech).

The Education Fund’s Northwest Regional Coordinator, Zeny Ehrlich stopped by the weekly members’ meet and greet with the SEIU organizer and stewards this week to share the benefits of our organization. This was the Ed Fund’s first in-person meeting with Columbia Memorial Hospital SEIU members, and was further highlighted by the attendance of Local 49 President, Meg Niemi. We look forward to many more in-person opportunities to meet our members and share how the Ed Fund can help them reach their healthcare career goals!

The Education Fund supports the Future Ready Oregon Bill

Apr 12, 2022 | News


From left to right: Angelynn Avé (Regional Coordinator, Northwest Programs), Rachel Lupole (Director, Career Advice), Juanita Kamhoot (SEIU Local 49 Executive Board Member and Performance Improvement Advisor, Kaiser Permanente), Kristy Spencer (Medical Assistant, Kaiser Permanente), and Zenaida Ehrlich (Regional Coordinator, Northwest Programs).

The Education Fund worked with SEIU Local 49 and our Northwest stakeholders to support the Future Ready Oregon 2022 bill signed by Governor Kate Brown on April 5, 2022. Local 49 invited members of the Education Fund’s staff and a couple of learners to attend the signing of the bill.

The Future Ready Oregon Bill is a comprehensive $200 million package of investments to give people the education, training, and resources they need to get into good-paying careers. The package particularly focuses on connecting Oregon’s workers with good-paying career paths in technology, manufacturing, and healthcare. These key sectors provide short-term pathways to meaningful employment, higher earning potential, and opportunities for economic mobility.

Governor Brown specifically thanked SEIU Local 49 and SEIU Local 503 for all their efforts to support frontline healthcare workers and emphasized their support of education and training partnerships. We are extremely proud to have been a part of this monumental bill and we look forward to providing educational opportunities to more eligible learners in the Northwest.