Norwalk Hospital celebrates as young adults complete program to learn more about healthcare careers

The Hour – Thursday, December 5, 2024
Staff Report

NORWALK — A group of young adults celebrated as they completed a job program that empowered them to explore clinical and nonclinical careers in the health-care field and to learn more about the skills needed for those jobs.

The graduation ceremony was held Wednesday at Norwalk Hospital, with hospital President Peter Cordeau in attendance to speak to the participants in the Norwalk Opportunity Youth Pilot Project as they embark on the next chapter of their professional journey, according to a statement from Norwalk Hospital, which is part of Nuvance Health.

The workforce development initiative is driven by Norwalk ACTS, a nonprofit cross-sector cradle to career partnership, in collaboration with Nuvance Health, the Norwalk Housing Authority, Open Doors and The Youth Business Initiative.

It is aimed at empowering disengaged or disconnected youth. Recruitment efforts focused on residents of the Norwalk Housing Authority who are between the ages of 18 to 26, preferably with high school diplomas. They underwent a three-week STRIVE Job Readiness Program, which emphasizes attitudinal readiness in a simulated work setting.

The $1,200 cost per students was covered by Norwalk ACTS, which also provided an onboarding stipend of $250 per student. Of the 20 students who enrolled, 17 completed the program, according to Norwalk Hospital.

“This initiative reflects a significant step in providing local youth with career opportunities in health care, addressing community needs, and fostering personal and professional growth for its participants,” said a statement from Norwalk Hospital.

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