Twenty soon-to-be health care assistants were surprised with some support from the Hopkins Landing Branch of the St. Mary’s Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary on April 25.
The students in the seven-month health care assistant program at Capilano University were in class when the auxiliary members arrived last Friday.
Surprise soon turned to joy as the students were told they would each be receiving $100 to help pay for things like books or other school fees.
“This gift by the Hopkins group tells our students how much the community values the work they will be doing in the future,” said program coordinator Joanne Quirk. “This is such a wonderful thing you’ve done for our students.”
The money came from the auxiliary’s special celebration/memorial fund which “had a little extra this year,” according to member Fran Miller.
“We are just thrilled to be able to do this with the funds,” Miller said.
The donation to each student is meant to show the future health care workers “how much we value them and their work within health care,” Miller said.
Students were visibly moved by the gesture.
In addition to the $100 gift to each student, the Hopkins Landing branch has a $1,000 scholarship health care students can apply for. Another $1,000 scholarship is also available through the larger St. Mary’s Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary.
The health care assistant program at Capilano University runs every 18 months on the Coast and graduates can work in any level of continuing care, including home support, adult daycare, assisted living and complex care.
Find out more at www.capilanou.ca/hca/.
