Geriatrics Career Development
The Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals
Since 2006, the Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) Program of The New Jewish Home has supported New York City youth from under-resourced schools in pursuit of careers in health care. GCD is training the next generation of high-quality, culturally competent health care professionals while generating excitement and enthusiasm for career opportunities in health care serving older adults.
Youth participants are fully immersed into the long-term care setting and provide more than 8,000 hours of companionship, activities and clinical care to older adults each year. The comprehensive curriculum trains young people to appreciate and gain a deep respect for older adults.
OUR PROGRAMS
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
(10th-12th grade, 14-19 years old)
GCD serves 225 students annually in its three-year high school program in both the Bronx and Manhattan division. GCD provides college readiness, health career exploration activities, internships, professional/older adult mentors, and clinical training. Youth can graduate with as many as five allied healthcare certifications (e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician), allowing them to immediately seek employment and have supplementary income while attending college.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- 567 graduates since 2006
- 99% high school graduation rate
- Over 100 college graduates
- 3 medical school enrollees
- 2 PhD enrollees
- Over 200 internships awarded
- Graduating classes averages $800,000 in scholarships/aid annually
WHAT GCD OFFERS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
- Scholarships/Stipend for regularly attending participants
- Paid internship during senior year
- Free certification (Certified Nursing Assistant/Patient Care, Technician), SAT Prep, College Counseling/Trips, and Supper/Snack at each location
- Summer Program
- Academic Tutoring
- Professional development
- Mentors
- Skills training/Clinical Experience
Interested in joining the GCD Program?
Roll-in applications are accepted based upon availability.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS:
Please reach out to Tiffany Lee, High School Senior Program Manager at tlee@jewishhome.org
GCD HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
November 2018 (PDF)
December 2018 (PDF)
January 2019 (PDF)
February 2019 (PDF)
YOUNG ADULT HOME HEALTH AIDE (YAHHA) PROGRAM
(18-24 years old)
GCD’s Young Adult Home Health Aide (YAHHA) Program, was launched in 2014 to address the needs of young people who are out-of-school, unemployed, and faced with multiple barriers. This free three-month program engages, trains, and supports disconnected young adults ages 18-24 to begin meaningful career paths in geriatric healthcare.
Successful participants receive training to become certified Home Health Aides (HHAs). GCD’s partner, the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Community Center, supports participants with case management and referral services. GCD’s Young Adult program provides on-boarding services, professional development training, one-on-one coaching, and paid internships, as well as no-cost HHA training and certification followed by an opportunity for employment through The New Jewish Home’s home care agency, HAPI.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- 145 graduates have completed program with a Home Health Aide certification
- 62 have been hired by The New Jewish Home
- 95 are currently working
- 25 are enrolled in a post-secondary program
- 19 have completed a post-secondary program
YAHHA PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT FROM
- Hands-on clinical skills training
- Contextualized professional development
- Four week paid internship
- Metrocards
- No-cost HHA certification training & testing
- Intergenerational mentorship
- One-on-one coaching
- Motivational professional speakers
- Long-term employment opportunity
- Transitional support for alumni
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Are you interested in a career in healthcare?
Are you an NYC resident between the ages of 18-24?
Are you out of school & unemployed?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, contact Becca Zukowsky,
Young Adult Program Manager
rzukowsky@jewishhome.org
or apply here.
ALUMNI PROGRAM
Both the High School and Young Adult Programs feed into GCD’s Alumni Program, which offers support to GCD Alumni in meeting their academic and career goals. Services include ongoing check-ins and tracking, career services, direct connections to professional opportunities at The New Jewish Home, and referrals to outside resources such as free trainings, and professional development programming. Individual sessions are also provided on request to resolve personal issues, to establish and support educational goals, and to support Alumni in marketing themselves and obtaining employment.
All GCD Alumni benefit from the following free services
- Resume and cover letter guidance
- Application assistance (work & college)
- Interview preparation
- References and recommendations
- Support with FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Direct access to employment opportunities at The New Jewish Home
- Referrals to employment & educational opportunities
- One-on-one life/school/career-planning sessions
- Volunteer/internship/shadowing opportunities at The New Jewish Home
- Public speaking opportunities
- Network-building and mentoring
- Alumni events and workshops
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALUMNI PROGRAM:
Contact either Rebecca Zukowsky, rzukowsky@jewishhome.org or Michelle Herrera, mherrera@jewishhome.org.
Although I did not end up in the medical field, the GCD program paved a path for me, it gave me a direction to follow and the resources to use when following that direction. Most importantly, the program provided me with a lifelong family.
My advice to current GCD students would be to take advantage of the opportunities offered to you in GCD, college, etc. that will help better prepare you for your future career and engagements. Go out and volunteer, get a better understanding of what your interests are and indulge in activities that will help you grow as a better individual. Do not try to be like anyone else but yourself!”
I am thankful for being a part of the GCD program. This was the first time I started working with residents, volunteering on the floors and having an Elder Mentor. I used to always want to do something when I was on my floor, and tried my best to take initiative. A few years later, I now have the opportunity to work with the Elders and ensure they have the best care possible. The GCD Program showed me that dreams are possible, and it only takes time, dedication, and motivation.
My first teacher, seeing my academic potential, tutored me at her home. I excelled academically ever since. Ms. Villa died before I could thank her, supposedly due to a misdiagnosis. By then I had said I wanted to be a doctor; that took on new meaning after her funeral. I won’t be a doctor, for money, or for people to respect me- I will be one to help people stay alive.
I want to thank the GCD staff for advocating for me & believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. Ever since I started putting in an effort, doors have been opening for me. I have the confidence & communication skills to solve problems & work well with others, I have interview skills I need, & I have more experience. I never expected myself to work in the medical field- now I have goals of becoming a Registered Nurse, maybe even a Doctor.
It was such a privilege to be able to work as an Intern at The New Jewish Home. It was amazing; I was able to get along with the staff & the elderly people & interact with them. Now they feel like family to me. I’ve gained lots of experience & it warms my heart to be able to help others; this brings me joy. The staff members were great supporters when times were difficult for me & I wanted to quit & give up. They encouraged me to stay & were confident in me that I was able to complete the program. Even my co-workers whom I worked with saw this potential in me.
STUDENT: High School GCD (2016)
Jimmy Perpina
“Stay committed; this program will help you in the long run. My family is very proud.”
FUNDER: Pinkerton Foundation
Laurie Dien
“GCD is such a unique grantee of ours. It’s the most supportive and all-encompassing program. The outcomes get better every year.”
PARTNER: Stanley M. Isaacs Center
Gregory Morris
“The support is consistent and thoughtful so they get the coaching they need to be successful… I hope the GCD program, going forward, can influence other cities.”
RESIDENT: The New Jewish Home
Dominga M.
“The kids from GCD help us in many ways. They call me their mentor. I love them very much.”
GCD BLOG
- Geriatrics Career Development Program Graduates Largest Class - The New Jewish Home celebrated the graduation of the seventh class of students in our Geriatrics Career Development program in June. The 2015 class was the largest ever, with 67 New York high school students from under-resourced schools having completed the rigorous program of career training and college preparation. The 2015 class of Jewish Home’s Geriatrics Career Development Program has much to be proud of, including: 99% applied to college 93% were accepted to college Students have been offered scholarships… …Read More
- Jewish Home’s Healthcare Training Program for Young Adults Honored by Isaacs Center - At a gala on April 30, Jewish Home was honored by the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, a 51-year-old community organization serving East Harlem and Yorkville. The Isaacs Center recognized Jewish Home for their dedication to Geriatrics Career Development – a commitment that is creating opportunities for formerly out-of-work and out-of-school youth to develop the skills and experience they need to enter and excel in a career in healthcare. The Isaacs Center is Jewish Home’s partner in the initiative, which… …Read More
- Jewish Home Collaborates with Columbia University Nursing School to Diversify the Future - The partnership between Jewish Home’s Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) program and the Columbia School of Nursing (CUSON) was featured at the University of New Mexico International Mentoring Conference held on October 22. GCD Program Director Toni Sexton and two colleagues from the Columbia University School of Nursing presented a workshop about the mentoring partnership between Jewish Home’s afterschool initiative for at-risk teens and the Columbia nursing students. GCD student reflections shared at International Mentoring Conference A highlight of the workshop,… …Read More
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GCD PROGRAM:
Contact Jon Cruz, GCD Director at (212) 870 4759 or jcruz@jewishhome.org.
(212) 870-4759
120 West 106th St,
New York, New York
(map view)
FUNDERS
The New Jewish Home and GCD are grateful for the funding provided by:
| Foundations | Government |
| The Achelis and Bodman Foundation Altman Foundation Phyllis Backer Foundation, Inc. David Berg Foundation The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation Carl Marks Foundation The John P. & Constance A. Curran Charitable Foundation George Link Jr. Foundation, Inc. Hagedorn Fund Hyde and Watson Foundation Pinkerton Foundation Price Family Foundation Rudin Foundation Shippy Foundation UJA-Federation Teen Council |
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer NYC Council Member Mark Levine NYC Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark Viverito NYC HRA Work Progress Program NYS DOH Child Nutrition Reimbursement NYS Education Department 21st Century Community Learning Centers |