Samantha trains to become a nurse thanks to our vocational training program and her perseverance

March 26, 2020

In Cleveland, Georgia, there is an 18-year-old woman, who we’ll call Samantha, who was working a dead-end, minimum-wage job with no hopes of advancement.

Among the missions of Americans Helping Americans is enabling people, such as Samantha, through vocational assistance programs and small financial grants, generally no more than $100, to give them that little extra “hand up” to get them over the hurdle.

Our partner there, Caring Hands Ministries, helped her find a better job…but much more than that – an opportunity that provided Samantha with the first step in the career field of her choice.

Her new employer is paying for her to earn her certified nursing assistant license, but she had just one hurdle still to overcome — the job required that in order to begin working, she would have to buy her own nurses scrubs and a new pair of nice tennis shoes.

“Thanks to this grant, we were able to purchase her three sets of scrubs and a pair of shoes to help her jump-start her new career,” reported Caring Hands, which added that among the many benefits of the Americans Helping Americans vocational training grant program is that it gives the grassroots non-profit organization the ability to help people obtain the training or items needed to find employment.

“This young lady is working hard and studying for her exam to become a CNA. Once she earns her CNA license she will get a raise at work.”

Today, Samantha has realized her dream of beginning a career in nursing, with likely many more to come as she advances in her new profession, all thanks to the supporters of Americans Helping Americans.

Related Blogs

Americans Helping Americans volunteers delivering food boxes to families in Appalachia during 2025

Year in Review: Your Impact in 2025

Looking back on 2025, Americans Helping Americans® executive director Cameron Krizek says, “When I look back at what was able to be accomplished this year, I see tens of thousands of Americans who have responded to Americans Helping Americans® letters and emails with…

Operation Warmth: Keeping Appalachia Warm This Winter

Operation Warmth: Keeping Appalachia Warm This Winter

Winter is here in the hills and hollers of Appalachia, where in West Virginia, winter lows are often below freezing and sometimes drop below 10 degrees, according to West Virginia University. And this year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac released its 2025/2026 winter…

Volunteer group standing in front of a newly built wheelchair-accessible ramp outside a rural West Virginia home.

Poverty in West Virginia: Causes, Impact, and Solutions

Life in rural West Virginia is defined by close-knit communities, rugged mountains, and deep cultural traditions. Yet behind the beauty and resilience of the state lies a difficult truth: poverty in West Virginia remains one of the most persistent challenges in the…

McDowell County families sharing a holiday meal hosted by Big Creek People in Action and Americans Helping Americans

A Season of Sharing in McDowell County

Last year, Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA), with the generous support of Americans Helping Americans®, helped ensure that the spirit of togetherness filled McDowell County from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Across several weeks, families gathered for community…