Sep 24, 2024 | 20th Anniversary
“I took the time to learn everything the Ed Fund offers. It’s there for us to use. Why wouldn’t we?”
In celebration of the Education Fund’s twentieth anniversary, we spotlight Janet Cordova’s remarkable journey from Emergency Room Technician to Unit Assistant at Kaiser Permanente. With the Ed Fund’s support, Janet seamlessly transitioned roles, pursued her Associate’s degree, and honed essential software skills through online courses. Looking forward, she plans to continue taking advantage of the Ed Fund’s resources to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. Janet’s drive to further her education and career embodies the spirit of empowerment that defines the Education Fund’s two decades of success.
Sep 24, 2024 | 20th Anniversary
“I’ve set an example for my college-bound child. The Education Fund helped me accomplish my educational goal.”
To celebrate 20 years of the Education Fund, we’re sharing 20 reasons our members love having us in their contract! In 2023, Shyndona Dickerson, a CNA at Dignity Health had this to say about her Ed Fund benefits.
Sep 24, 2024 | 20th Anniversary
“The Education Fund has impacted my life. It’s helping me down the road in the future with my career path and choices.”
As the Education Fund marks its 20th anniversary, Nancy Espino’s journey stands as a testament to our profound impact on individual lives. Despite parenthood delaying her college dreams, Nancy found her path in the medical field as a clinical assistant at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, supported by the Ed Fund’s benefits for eligible SEIU members. As a clinical assistant Nancy utilized our College Courses program to pursue her Medical Assistant degree. Overcoming initial nerves about returning to school, Nancy found the support she needed through the Ed Fund, describing her experience as “super positive.” With the Education Fund, Nancy found the encouragement she needed to begin fulfilling her personal and professional goals.
Sep 24, 2024 | 20th Anniversary
“The Education Fund will support your dreams and goals and help you to develop additional skills for a promotion.”
For our 20th anniversary, we’re putting the spotlight on why our members love the Ed Fund. The advice Stephanie Goins, an LVN at Kaiser Permanente Fremont, shared in 2022 with her coworkers about taking advantage of their Ed Fund benefits is right on the money. We love hearing about the countless ways the Ed Fund has changed lives.
Sep 24, 2024 | 20th Anniversary
“I am a single mother of four boys, and knowing I had this program to help me along the way and make it possible to go to school without the financial hardship made it easy for me with less stress. I wanted to show my boys that with help, nothing can get in your way, you just have to ask. Thank you!”
– Amanda Bernal
To continue celebrating our 20th anniversary, we’re sharing Amanda Bernal’s reason for loving the Education Fund. Amanda, who worked at Kaiser Permanente Modesto and is a single mother of four boys, took advantage of her Ed Fund benefits to ease her financial burdens and pursue education without stress. Her journey in 2022 shows how our support can change lives, helping people overcome challenges and reach their goals.
Sep 24, 2024 | 20th Anniversary
In recognition of the Education Fund’s 20th anniversary, here’s a success story from our 2012 Annual Report. With the support of the Education Fund, Jevry Norimarna went from Certified Nursing Assistant to Respiratory Care Practitioner at Kaiser Permanente. The support of his Career Counselor helped keep him on track and he graduated his program with honors, going on to receive a wage increase of 48%! Stories like this show the impact our programs and services have had on the lives of our members over the past two decades.
“I am grateful for this benefit that helps hard-working people like me to go back to school and move up in our careers.”
From the time I migrated to the USA from Indonesia, I planned to go back to school. I enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant Program, which opened my eyes to bigger horizons in the healthcare profession. I went on to get certified as an EKG technician and was hired at Kaiser Permanente, South San Francisco. When I learned about the Respiratory Therapy Program at Skyline College, I was eager to further my education but worried about finding the time to go to school. Luckily, my manager introduced me to the Stipend Program. If not for her, I would not have been able to complete my training. The program was not easy. For the entire two years, I took no vacations and did no socializing. I had to wake up at 3:00am every day to keep up with my classes. I was blessed to have Daisy Kinyauo as my Education Fund counselor. She was always on my side when I had questions. Everything paid off, and I graduated with high honors and was awarded “Outstanding Student.” In October 2010, I found a new benefitted job as a Respiratory Care Practitioner at my home facility, getting paid 48% more than I did before. I am now registered as a student at Oregon Institute of Technology to get my Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care so I can continue my professional growth.
Jevry with his Education Fund counselor, Daisy Kinyauo. “Because of her care, I felt I had the obligation to prove that I could do well in the program.”
