In March 2020, COVID-19 shut down the restaurant where Kayla Hollon waited tables. Soon she couldn’t pay her mortgage. Buying groceries for her eight-year-old son also became a challenge.

Today, thanks to Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation-funded Jeremiah’s Hope medical jobs training program, Hollon is an Ascension St. Vincent’s certified clinical medical assistant.

Working alongside a nurse practitioner at American Cast Iron Pipe Company, she conducts health screenings, takes vital signs, and assists in the event of an accident. 

“Jeremiah’s Hope took a huge burden off me,” Hollon says. “It allowed me to establish a better foundation to support my family.”

Since 2003 Jeremiah’s Hope has graduated hundreds of medical assistants, patient care technicians, sterile processing technicians, administrative medical assistants, and phlebotomists.

In 2019, these certification courses were transitioned to Jefferson State Community College, expanding Jeremiah’s Hope to four locations and enabling more flexible hours for students.

“Without the Foundation’s donors we could not provide scholarships and support materials for these students,” says Program Manager Kim Sztanyo.

Tom and Cathy Adams witnessed the impact of Jeremiah’s Hope and annually support the program.

“This is the most joyful donation we make,” Cathy says. “We were asked to be part of the Jeremiah’s Hope graduation pinning ceremony, and it was very emotional. The families were all there. Pride was written on their faces. We heard so many inspiring stories. One young man had graduated from the program and then went back to become a registered nurse. He is now head of his department.”