Heather's Story: “My husband had to take a pay cut at work and between us we have 7 children to support. There was no way I could financially afford to get my physical and CPR requirements in time to start the Medical Assisting Program”. Heather applied to the Helping Hands Fund and got the support she needed. She graduated on time without interruption due to finances and is now a medical assistant with a local hospital. 

Michael's Story: “Two years ago my wife and I had successful careers, a new son…and then our lives changed when my wife had a stroke causing severe brain damage. She couldn’t work and I quit my job to take care of her. Finances are tight.” Michael, then an incoming Nursing student, talked with Gail Lindsay, Dean of the Barbara J. Hilton RN School of Nursing, about not being able to pay for the background test and drug screening as required to entered the program. Dean Lindsay referred him to the Helping Hands resources where he got a hand up to keep him on his journey towards becoming a nurse.

__________________________________________________________________________

Leah, Disability Support Services Coordinator : "I do often refer students to Helping Hands – many students with disabilities often have financial difficulties as a direct result of their disabilities – high costs of medical care, transportation, difficulty getting and maintaining jobs, etc." As part of our partnership with METS, we can give students with disabilities passes for their wheelchair accessible busses. 

Tiffany, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Advisor of Helping Hands: "Helping Hands is a wonderful resource that allows us to help students who have unforeseeable emergency situations stay on track.  By providing this financial assistance, students are better able to focus on school work and reach their educational goals."