Amid neatly pressed new scrubs in white and blue, proud parents, mentors and distinguished dignitaries, 73 certificates were awarded on August 7 at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency to graduates of the Mayor’s Youth Program Summer Healthcare and Oracle Academies.

Welcoming the attendees was Deborah Lum, Executive Director of the AWDA who thanked the State Department of Labor and Mayor Shirley Franklin whose financial support made the programs possible. Mayor Shirley Franklin introduced the keynote speaker of the evening, Commissioner Michael L. Thurmond of the Georgia Department of Labor who reminded the graduates that they did not get there alone, “you were supported by parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers and mentors – all who believed in you and put you here.” He then challenged them to “go forth and fight poverty, get a job and don’t ever let anyone slay your dreams.”

Thanks to the vision and support of Mayor Shirley Franklin and the partnership of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Atlanta Technical College and the Atlanta Public Schools, the successful Healthcare program is in its fourth year and has certified 420 Atlanta Public School Juniors and Seniors to be Certified Nurse Assistants, Patient Care Technicians and Pharmacy Technicians. The Oracle Academy completed its first year, presenting instruction for students interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology with its implication for the business industry. Together, the unique summer academies provided all 73 graduates with a “head start” with their chosen fields of career interest.

AWDA Executive Director, Deborah Lum,
Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Mayor Shirley Franklin

Keisha Paige, C.N.A., a recent graduate of Douglass High School, plans to continue studying Healthcare at Clayton State College this fall and wants to be a registered nurse. “I am a very hands-on kind of person and this program was very hands-on. It was a great jump start for me with my healthcare education.” Her mother, Mrs. Judy Henderson expressed her gratitude to the program. “As a single parent, I am very grateful for the financial support and the true “hand up” for Keisha in her chosen field. Nursing is her passion.”  Echoing her remarks was Mrs. Delisa Bland, mother of Rasoul Bland, C.N.A. “This has been such a great opportunity for my son. We are very thankful for this summer program.”  Rasoul is a rising senior at Mays High School and plans to be a physical therapist. He will be eligible to return to the program again next summer for a second certification program.

Derek Franklin studied Oracle this summer, a database development program. “I was in class four hours a day and still had time off to do other things too. I got a real solid foundation in Oracle… Danny Bryant was a great teacher.”  A graduate of Grady High School, he plans to attend Western Kentucky State University this fall and major in Computer Science.

Danny Bryant, Senior IT Analyst and Oracle Academy instructor, taught the Oracle Academy Class and Angela Williams was the Healthcare Project Coordinator. Both serve on the staff of the AWDA.

Healthcare graduates, Rasoul Bland and Keisha Paige,
with their parents, Delisa Bland and Judy Henderson