Celebrating a Year of Impact—with Gratitude and Momentum

As we close out the year, we want to thank our partners and donors for your incredible support. Together, we’re creating life-changing opportunities and strengthening communities.

In 2025, we served more than 10,000 Scholars across seven states. Wow! With your continued support, we’re ready to build on that momentum and make an even greater impact in 2026.

A year-end gift of any amount creates a ripple effect of opportunity for our Scholars, their families, and the communities they serve.

Together, we’re building a workforce that cares.

Your support truly changes everything.

CEO Barb Clapp Talks Tackling the Healthcare Workforce Shortage

Have you listened to Fox News Rundown: Evening Edition’s featuring our CEO, Barb Clapp, yet?

The podcast focused on the growing nursing shortage across the United States—and the serious challenges it presents for the future of healthcare.

As the population ages and many experienced nurses approach retirement, healthcare systems are struggling to keep up with demand. Burnout and limited training pipelines are further widening the gap.

Barb dives into the nationwide healthcare workforce shortage and shares how we are working to combat it, one Dwyer Scholar at a time.

The Nonprofit MBA Podcast with Barb Clapp: Unlocking Nonprofit Growth Through Smart, Entrepreneurial Risk-Taking

Growth isn’t always comfortable. Our CEO, Barb Clapp, joined Stephen Halasnik on The Nonprofit MBA Podcast for a conversation about taking smart risks, trying new approaches, and why having an entrepreneurial mindset can help nonprofits grow their impact.

Graduations continued in December as Scholars celebrated earning their CNA and GNA certifications. We’re proud to support you and excited to see you grow and thrive in your healthcare careers.

Thank you to all the teachers and staff who helped these students succeed! Check out some pictures from the graduations below.

A Historic Milestone in Florida!

We are incredibly excited to celebrate our first-ever bilingual graduation in partnership with Career Edge and Meridian West Central College—a true milestone and the first program of its kind.

More than a dozen Scholars graduated from this program and we couldn’t be prouder as they pushed through challenges and made tremendous strides in advancing their healthcare careers. Maria Darby, our COO, was thrilled to attend and offered Scholars words of encouragement and admiration.

Thank you CareerEdge, Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida, and Meridian West Central College for a great partnership and great first class!

   Congratulations, graduates! ¡Felicidades!

Celebrating Growth and Achievement: Scholar Advancement

We had the honor of witnessing a major milestone for four of our incredible Dwyer Scholars at their pinning ceremony! These dedicated Scholars have successfully completed training for stackable credentials, taking bold steps toward advancing their careers in healthcare!

Congratulations to our Scholars:

Monique – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

Shakira – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

Emmilee – Completed Phlebotomy Training 

Safirah – Completed Phlebotomy Training 

Your hard work and perseverance are paving the way for brighter futures—not just for yourselves but for the communities you will serve.

Here's to continued success and the power of upskilling to transform lives!

11 New CNA Graduates from Community College of Baltimore County

14 Graduates from Rio Grande Valley College in Pharr, Texas

13 Graduates from Windsor Harlingen in Texas

2 Graduates from Windsor McAllen in Texas

From Collaboration to Graduation: CareerEdge Roundtable in Florida

We couldn’t be more excited about our sold-out CareerEdge Healthcare Council Roundtable event at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida. It was a huge success—spotlighting innovative partnerships and the power of collective action to drive progress, expand access, and break down barriers. 



Attendees heard firsthand from a Dwyer Scholar and learned about Florida’s first hybrid Spanish CNA course. This new program not only will empower more Dwyer Scholars, it also allows us to reach more communities.

We're grateful to work with such strong partners: CareerEdge, CareerSource Suncoast, Meridian West Central College, Suncoast Technical College, Lutheran Services Florida, and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System! 

Second Job Skills Workshop was a Hit! 

Our Case Management team in Baltimore recently hosted the second resume and job skills workshop at our headquarters and it was huge hit!

Several Maryland Dwyer Scholars strengthened their interview skills through personalized coaching, mock interviews, and direct engagement with employers. The impact was immediate—seven Scholars received job offers after the first workshop. We can’t wait to see how they excel in their new jobs.



We are looking forward to our next career workshop in 2026!

A Successful Career Fair in Jacksonville

Just like that DWD had another successful career fair!

62 Dwyer Scholars attended our Career Fair at Sharron Nursing Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Scholars arrived ready to take the next step in their careers as employers met candidates face-to-face and conducted on-site interviews. Scholars who visited every booth also earned a gift card.

And the highlight of the day… at least two Scholars were hired on the spot!

A huge thank-you to our partners Southern Healthcare Management and Life Care Centers of America for showing up, collaborating, and championing our Scholars' journeys. Your support makes these moments possible!

Highlights from the Next Step Success Fair

What an incredible day at The Next Step Success Fair at Affordable Training in Jacksonville, Florida! Scholars came ready to take the next step—through on-site interviews, hands-on course and testing support, and meaningful conversations about their career goals.

The Highlights:

• Seeing our Scholars connect with their Case Managers and one of our employer partners, LiveCare
• 9 Scholars engaging in on-the-spot interviews
• 3 Scholars leaving the fair with a job offer

We’re proud to support our Scholars every step of the way and grateful to Affordable Training for hosting such an impactful event.

Connecting for Impact at the 2025 State of the Region Luncheon

We had a fantastic time at the RGV Partnership 2025 State of the Region Luncheon in Mission, Texas!

DWD Community Engagement Coordinator Joan Garza and Case Manager Jaime Rosas joined regional leaders to engage in meaningful conversations around economic priorities, workforce needs, and opportunities for collaboration across the Rio Grande Valley.



The luncheon provided a great opportunity to highlight how education, skills training, and scholarship support help prepare RGV students and Scholars for high-demand careers—and to connect partners who share commitment in growing the region’s workforce.

Building Community Partnerships at the RGV Hispanic Chamber Holiday Mixer

We were so proud to be part of the RGV Hispanic Chamber’s Ugly Sweater Christmas Mixer in Edinburg, Texas! DWD Community Engagement Coordinator Joan Garza connected with local leaders, nonprofits, and businesses that support families across the Rio Grande Valley.

The event provided a great opportunity to share how our Dwyer Scholars are helping to strengthen the regional healthcare workforce.

Happy Holidays From All of Us Here at DWD

The DWD team got together to decorate the tree, listen to holiday music, and ring in the holiday cheer! We shared lunch and a cookie exchange together with some of our friends at CFG Bank and our board!



From all of us at DWD, we wish you and yours a warm season filled with joy.

Spreading Cheer, One Elf Sighting at a Time

This month, DWD had a very special holiday visitor – an ELF named Cornelius all the way from the North Pole! The festive visit added extra cheer to our office and brought our team together to celebrate the joy of the holiday season.

Looking Ahead to 2026: 
Building What’s Next

Moving into 2026, we are energized by all that is ahead and deeply grateful for the partners, donors, and communities who make our work possible.

Together, we will continue expanding access to education, skilled training, and career pathways—empowering even more Scholars to strengthen their families, workplaces, and communities. The future is full of opportunity, and we’re excited to keep building it with you.

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!

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.