Meet Tyshawn- A Dwyer Scholar from Maryland

Meet Tyshawn, a resilient Dwyer Scholar from West Baltimore. As the eldest of six, he's balanced family responsibilities and personal loss, yet continues to rise above. Through the DWD program, he's building a future that reflects his dedication and passion.

Take a listen to his story:

DWD Takes on Kansas!

In case you haven’t heard, DWD has recently expanded into Kansas! We’ve launched an innovative workforce development program to tackle the growing shortage of elder care workers in northeast Kansas, starting in Douglas County and expanding into 16 additional counties. Barb Clapp, DWD CEO, Maria Darby, DWD COO, and Karen Evander, DWD Director of Communications, traveled to Lawrence, KS, in late February to announce our new partnership with Kansas WorkforceONE.

We’re excited about this partnership with Kansas WorkforceONE and look forward to working together to address the state’s senior healthcare workforce shortage.

Make sure you check out our latest press release here for all the details on our new partnership, and click below to read our feature in McKnight’s Senior Living!

Creating a Workforce Solution in Texas

Healthcare facilities across the nation are struggling to fill open positions and retain their current staff. The demand for a trained, professional healthcare workforce is more urgent than ever.

As DWD continues its mission to address this workforce crisis, we are working closely with state legislators to drive real, lasting change. Our efforts aim to create long-term solutions to the challenges facing the healthcare industry.

Recently, DWD was featured in The Lone Star Standard for our work with Texas leaders to bring about these much-needed changes.

Providing a Necessary Solution in Florida

Successful partnerships are crucial to our mission. Collaborations with nonprofits, employers, and trainers play a vital role in the success of our Scholars. One of the most important partnerships is with our trainers, whose career and technical programs bridge the gap between education and employment, giving students the skills they need to excel in the workforce.

Check out this article in The Florida Times-Union to learn more about the powerful partnership between DWD and Sharron Nursing Academy in Jacksonville, Florida.

DWD at NIC Spring Conference

Our Director of Partnerships and Programs, Lisa Chamness, recently attended the 2025 NIC Spring Conference in San Diego, a leading event focused on innovative solutions for the health and support needs of older adults. Lisa connected with potential partners and began building valuable relationships with attendees. We’re honored to have been part of this gathering of industry leaders, engaging with both current and prospective partners.

Celebrating Recent Graduations!

Recently, many Dwyer Scholars have graduated from CNA and GNA classes and received their certifications. That is no easy feat, and we are so excited to see you all grow. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Join us in celebrating this milestone for our Dwyer Scholars!

Ice Cream, Ice Cream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

To celebrate Team Appreciation Day, we made sure to treat our incredible DWD team to something sweet! Your dedication to the DWD mission, our Scholars, and your colleagues is truly appreciated!

Shamrock Shenanigans at DWD!

The DWD team had a green and golden good time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, March 17! Everyone got into the spirit and it was a great way to bring the team together and kick off the season of spring!

Celebrating Black History!

Last month, Scholars and the DWD Baltimore team gathered at the DWD Resource Center to reflect, honor, and celebrate Black History! This event featured an energetic performance from the Duafe African Dancing and Drumming Troupe and African fabric art-making with Art with a Heart, allowing Scholars to immerse themselves in Black culture!

Honoring and Celebrating Women

Earlier this month, we celebrated Women's History Month by honoring women in healthcare at DWD’s Resource Center! Scholars had the opportunity to hear from four amazing female professionals in the healthcare industry who shared their successes, challenges, and advice. Cheers to the powerful women in healthcare and beyond!

Tax Preparation in Maryland

Last week, Maryland Scholars had the opportunity to visit the DWD Resource Center and learn about tax preparation with the CASH Campaign of Maryland as Tax Day approaches. Those who attended gained insights on essential documents, filing with dependents, and more. A big thank you to the CASH Campaign and our Scholars who participated!

A Whole Week of Shopping!

This April, DWD is hosting a spring outfit event at our Baltimore Resource Center, where Scholars can pick out two new outfits at no cost!

Stress Management Tips for Scholars

At the end of April, the DWD Baltimore Resource Center will host Mindful Moments: How to Manage Stress for our Scholars. This event will offer valuable tips and techniques for managing stress and achieving work-life balance.

DWD is Growing 

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

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.