Big News: New Sponsors Just Joined DWD’s Careforce Collective Leadership Event!

We’re thrilled to announce that, together with our presenting sponsor CFG Bank, these incredible partners have joined us to support the Careforce Collective Leadership Breakfast:

• It Works Learning Center
• Warschawski
• Devaney & Associates

Your support of this event goes beyond a sponsorship—it’s a powerful commitment to expanding opportunity, creating stability, and unlocking upward mobility for individuals pursuing meaningful careers in healthcare. Together, we’re building a more compassionate and resilient workforce—one that’s prepared to meet the urgent needs of our communities.

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

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.

DWD CEO Barb Clapp is a Social Impact Hero

We’re proud to share that DWD CEO Barb Clapp was featured in Authority Magazine’s Social Impact Hero series.

In the interview, Barb discusses her journey from foster care to CEO and how her commitment to purpose-driven work is shaping DWD’s mission to connect under-resourced talent with healthcare careers. Go Barb, go!

On the Air: Today’s 101.9 Spotlights DWD

DWD CEO Barb Clapp and Director of Case Management Sherna Barksdale had the pleasure of joining Today’s 101.9 host Gina Crash on Spotlight On Maryland to discuss DWD’s mission, national growth, and the future of its holistic workforce development efforts.

They shared how DWD is transforming lives across three key groups:

• Dwyer Scholars
• Patients in the communities we serve
• Healthcare facilities facing critical staffing shortages

Since launching in September 2022, DWD has empowered over 6,000 Scholars across seven states: Maryland, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Delaware, upstate New York, and Kansas. We’re proud of the momentum and excited to see how we’ll continue to grow in 2025. Missed hearing it live? Click below to listen to the episode!

A Heart for Helping Others

Talk about a feel-good story! United Way Suncoast’s latest blog, “A Heart for Helping Others Highlights CNA Cohort,” has us smiling from ear to ear.

Over the past eight weeks, eight inspiring women—including Dwyer Scholar Gabby Arbeene—completed a free, hands-on CNA course at the North Tampa Community Center. From academic coaching and job placement to childcare and transportation, United Way Suncoast and Dwyer Workforce Development were proud to support them every step of the way.

Now, these new CNAs are launching into purpose-driven healthcare careers—and lighting the way with their grit, heart, and determination.

Read more about Gabby’s journey and the full story below!

Shaping Florida’s Healthcare Future

In a new episode of Education Conversations, a podcast by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, host Jennifer Vigne sits down with DWD CEO Barb Clapp and Dan Sidler, VP of CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, to discuss how bold partnerships are transforming Florida’s healthcare workforce—one CNA at a time.

Click below to listen to the full episode and hear how collaboration is driving real change in the state’s healthcare pipeline!

Dwyer Scholar Spotlighted in Tampa News

We’re proud to share that a letter from one of our Florida Scholars was published in the Tampa Bay Times during National CNA Week, reaching an estimated audience of 1.85 million readers.

In the piece, the Scholar shares her inspiring journey from housing insecurity to a stable healthcare career—made possible through DWD's partnership with United Way Suncoast and Hillsborough Community College. Her story is a testament to how community collaboration and holistic support can transform lives and strengthen Florida’s healthcare workforce.

Read the whole letter below!

Graduations Across DWD!

An amazing graduation season continued in June, with Scholars across all our states celebrating their CNA or GNA certifications—including our first graduating class in Pennsylvania! We’re so excited to watch them grow and thrive in their careers. Thank you to all the teachers and staff who helped make their success possible. We can’t wait to see what our Dwyer Scholars accomplish next.

Check out some pics from graduations below!

Our First Graduation in Pennsylvania

CareerEdge Graduation in Florida

McLennan Community College Graduation in Texas

United Way Suncoast Graduation in Florida

Wellsential Health Mission Valley Facility Graduation in Texas

Certified & Crushing It: From Scholars to Certified Stars

We’re thrilled to celebrate our amazing Dwyer Scholars who recently passed their CNA/GNA exams! Whether it was the written or skills test, they faced the challenge head-on and came out on top. We can’t wait to see the incredible impact they’ll make as certified healthcare professionals.

CNA Week 2025

DWD proudly recognized Certified Nursing Assistants during CNA Week this June—a time to honor the frontline professionals who keep our healthcare system moving.

CNAs are the backbone of care, providing vital support with compassion, strength, and heart. Whether offering comfort, advocating for patients, or showing up day after day in challenging environments, their impact is profound.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate these everyday heroes and shine a light on the essential role they play in keeping our communities healthy and cared for.

Community in Action: Edinburg Unites for Elder Abuse Awareness

Our Texas Community Engagement Coordinator, Joan Garza, recently joined local leaders and advocates in Edinburg, Texas for a powerful Elder Abuse Awareness Proclamation event.

More than just a gathering, it was a unified stand for dignity, safety, and respect for our seniors.

A heartfelt thank-you to Wellsential Health for showing up in full force—with an administrator from each Edinburg facility. Your presence is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

Strengthening Healthcare Partnerships in South Texas

Our Texas Community Engagement Coordinator, Joan Garza, has been making meaningful connections across South Texas. From the Texas Healthcare Alliance Chamber of Commerce to Proclamation Day and a networking luncheon in the Rio Grande Valley, Joan has been on the ground sharing Dwyer’s mission, building partnerships, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Each event has been a chance to strengthen community ties and advance our shared commitment to transforming the healthcare workforce—one connection at a time.

CNA Week Community Resource Fair

Our Baltimore Resource Center turned up the heat during CNA Week with a community resource fair!

Despite temperatures nearing 100°, our amazing Scholars and community partners showed up strong to connect, share resources, and enjoy some sweet treats. The event brought together support and celebration, demonstrating the power of partnership and purpose in action.

A huge thank you to the partners who joined us: Art with a Heart, Pivot Baltimore, Vehicles for Change, Elev8!, House of Ruth, Helping Up Mission, Community Assistance Network, Maryland Wellness, Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services, and Quinn’s Ice.

Back Together...and It Feels So Good

It’s always a good time when the whole DWD team gets together! Team members from Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Maryland came together for a few days of connection, collaboration, and plenty of fun. From workshops and team-building activities to shared meals and duckpin bowling, the week was full of laughs and great memories. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again in September!

Welcome Lakita Green!

We’re excited to welcome Lakita Green as DWD’s new Director of Career Services! With more than 22 years of experience in workforce development, Lakita is passionate about helping people discover their purpose and build lasting careers. From New York to California, she’s mentored thousands, launched transformative programs, and turned challenges into opportunities.

Now at DWD, she’ll be leading the charge to help our Scholars grow and thrive in their healthcare careers.

From the DWD Family to Yours

As we head into the Fourth of July, the DWD team wishes you and your loved ones a joyful and safe holiday. Happy Independence Day from all of us!

DWD is Growing 

We're expanding our team and looking for passionate individuals to join us in making a positive impact in Maryland and Florida!

Don't miss out on this chance to be part of a dynamic team committed to workforce development!

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.