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An amazing graduation season continued in August with Scholars across all our states celebrating after receiving their CNA certifications. We are excited to see our Scholars grow and thrive in their careers.
Check out some pictures from the graduations below!
| | Maryland Dwyer Scholars Graduate with Over 300 in Attendance | | |
The future’s so bright, our graduates have to wear shades!
On Wednesday, August 20, DWD celebrated our newest class of CNAs, with over 100 Scholars walking the stage to receive their certificates. This may have been our biggest graduation yet at Southern Baptist Church in Baltimore, with more than 350 people in attendance.
We couldn’t be prouder of our Scholars and can’t wait to see the bright futures they’re building in healthcare!
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We also recognized three remarkable Scholars who advanced from CNA to LPN.
Each began their journey with DWD as CNAs and, through dedication and hard work, has recently become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Their stories are living proof of what’s possible with opportunity, support, and determination.
Shown below, Scholar Briyona was thrilled to be recognized on stage alongside her fellow Dwyer Scholar LPNs. Way to go, ladies!
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Graduates from Elderwood in New York | Graduates from Launch Point in Texas | Graduates from Genesis in Delaware | | Graduates from Sharron Nursing Academy in Florida | | |
A New DWD Tradition Begins: Join the First Careforce Collective Breakfast and Meet Our Founding Sponsors | |
Join us on October 9 for the inaugural Careforce Collective Leadership Breakfast—a morning of purpose, connection, and impact you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendar and be part of this powerful gathering from the very beginning.
About the Event:
The Penguin Room at Whitehall Mill | Baltimore
8:00–10:30 AM
What to Expect:
Scholar Spotlights: Hear powerful stories from Dwyer Scholars
Engagement Moments: Sponsors are paired with a Scholar for a year of shared growth and updates
Networking: Connect with leaders driving change in Maryland
Corporate Recognition: Your brand, your impact—front and center
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Thank you to our Careforce Collective sponsors:
CFG Bank
Dream Big
Noble Care
The Monument Group
HillCo Partners
Constantine Construction
It Works Learning Center, Inc.
Propel Insurance
Warschawski
Devaney Agency
MOI
Want to get involved?
This isn’t just a breakfast—it’s an investment in education, health equity, and the future of our workforce. Show your leadership in building stronger communities and supporting the next generation of healthcare heroes. Sponsorships start at $5,000.
Contact mboyle@dwyerworkforcedev.org to get involved.
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Texas Scholar Spotlight:
Cristina’s Big Dreams
| Meet Cristina, one of our incredible Scholars in Texas! Inspired by her mom, who’s an LPN, Cristina grew up visiting nursing homes and learning the true meaning of care. Today, she’s working as a CNA, caring for her grandmother with Alzheimer’s all the while pursuing her own dream of becoming an LPN—and maybe even a future instructor in the classroom.
Cristina’s journey is a powerful reminder that healthcare is more than a career—it’s a calling. We’re so proud to be part of her story!
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Florida Scholar Shanice’s Journey:
Caring, Growing, Thriving
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Dwyer Scholar Shanice’s path to healthcare began in middle school, helping out at her stepmom’s home care agency—where clients felt more like family.
Originally from Jamaica, Shanice moved from New York to Florida seeking a better life for herself and her son with autism. After juggling part-time jobs, she wanted a purposeful career—and found it through Dwyer Workforce Development.
From transportation support to flexible schooling, DWD became part of her village.
“They paid for me to go to school. I didn’t have to figure out how to afford it—because of that, I can survive. I can breathe.”
Now a proud CNA at Indian River Center, Shanice has her sights set on becoming an LPN—and one day, a travel nurse.
| | DWD’s Vision Spotlighted on Charm City Dreamers | | |
We’re excited to share that our CEO, Barb Clapp, was recently featured on the Charm City Dreamers podcast! In the episode, Barb discusses her journey, the power of workforce development, and how DWD creates opportunities for our Scholars to launch meaningful healthcare careers.
From breaking down barriers to celebrating success stories, Barb highlights the incredible impact our Scholars are making and the community partnerships that make it all possible.
| | The Baltimore Sun Captures DWD Scholar Joy | | | | |
The Baltimore Sun recently captured multiple beautiful moments from our recent Maryland graduation at Southern Baptist Church. They highlighted CNA Instructor Laurie Houle holding three-month old Faith while her mom, Scholar Tiara, crossed the stage.
We’re so proud of our graduates and grateful to share their stories with others.
| | DWD Founder Jack Dwyer on His Greatest Success | | |
Our founder, Jack Dwyer, was recently named to the Daily Record's Power 100 list, and he shared that his proudest achievement is Dwyer Workforce Development.
“I’m proud to be able to help improve the lives of others and encourage others to do the same,” he said.
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Elite Nurse Aide Training | | |
Our Dwyer Scholars receive outstanding training thanks to our partners at Elite Nurse Aide Training in Killeen, Texas. The team provides Scholars with the technical skills to become CNAs, along with the soft skills needed to succeed in the healthcare workforce.
As our Program Navigator, Shields Oursler, explains: “Elite Nurse Aide is a CNA facility that genuinely cares about our Scholars’ success. Samantha and her team equip Scholars with the skills they need to become CNAs and prepare them for employment in healthcare. We are fortunate to have a partner like Elite that aligns with our mission and helps us serve more Scholars effectively.”
Thank you, Elite Nurse Aide Training, for your partnership in supporting our Scholars in Texas.
| | Building Healthier Futures in Edinburg, TX | | In August, DWD was excited to participate in the Community Health Fair at Hidalgo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edinburg, TX! Joan Garza, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Jaime Rosas, Case Manager, represented DWD by connecting with attendees, sharing resources, and highlighting opportunities in healthcare careers. | | Behind the Scenes with Barb Clapp | | We had an exciting day capturing stories with our CEO, Barb Clapp, for our annual DWD video! Here’s a sneak peek with some behind-the-scenes photos—stay tuned for what’s coming next! | | Empowering Women and Strengthening Community in Texas | | Community Engagement Coordinator Joan Garza joined an inspiring group of women at the BCFS Family Resource Center in Harlingen, TX! She shared how DWD supports job readiness and career exploration, sparking meaningful conversations about confidence, goal-setting, and navigating local resources. | | A Night of Laughter with Nate Bargatze | | Our team and Maryland partners recently enjoyed Nate Bargatze’s show at CFG Bank Arena—it was a night full of laughs! Moments like these remind us that connection and partnership are at the heart of the work we do together every day. | | Cheers to Our Team Milestones! | | |
We’re thrilled to give a big shoutout to a few of our team members for hitting career milestones with DWD! Brittany Sherrod, Hannah Eisenberg, and Tony Phan are celebrating 1 year with us, and Shelly Gaskin is celebrating 2 years.
Thank you for bringing your best every single day. Here’s to many more!
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DWD is Growing
We're expanding our team and looking for passionate individuals to join us in making a positive impact in Maryland!
Don't miss out on this chance to be part of a dynamic team committed to workforce development!
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| Know Someone Looking to Grow Their Career in Health Care? | | |
Calling all nonprofits, government agencies, case managers, social workers, faith community leaders, and counselors dedicated to serving unemployed and under-employed community members! We invite you to connect with us and explore how we can collaborate to become a valuable workforce development resource for your organization and the individuals you support.
Let's work together to empower and uplift our community through meaningful employment opportunities and skill-building programs. Reach out to us today to start this impactful journey together!
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| Help us spread the word about the impact and positive changes we are making in healthcare. Like, share, and follow our stories on social media to create awareness and inspire others to join our cause. | | | | |
