Creating Access to Healthcare Careers

United Way Partnership Helps Fill Critical Community Need 

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are essential to a well-functioning healthcare system. In fact, CNA jobs are expected to grow four percent by 2032. With the growing healthcare workforce shortage, Goodwill partnered with United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County to fill this critical community need. 

Meeting Community Need Through Partnerships

For many, roles in healthcare can feel out of reach due to financial barriers to earn needed credentials, lack of access to transportation, education, skills training or technology, and the connection to resources to prepare for and find a job once certified. 

Through United For Good, a paid career training program, Goodwill and United Way are addressing the CNA job shortage while helping people facing barriers to employment access training, build the required skills, and obtain the certifications needed to enter a career in healthcare. Goodwill and United Way work with local education and employer partners to offer crucial educational and job opportunity support.

"Together, with support from United Way and Herzing University, Goodwill is helping people in our community achieve their goals, realize their potential and pave a path to their future,” says Hermoine Bell-Henderson, director, Workforce Connection Centers and mission partnerships, Wisconsin. 

A Passionate Team Behind the Program 

Goodwill team members hold a unique role to ensure program participant success. From recruitment to assistance with job placement after program completion, to providing work and life skills training and personalized assistance with setting goals and supportive coaching. 

“The program provides students with one-on-one coaching and access to resources that help them stay on track and ultimately succeed in getting their CNA license,” says Jessica Gudeman, lead mission learning consultant. “That individual support is what really sets our program apart and truly makes a difference.” 

Since inception, the program has helped more than 115 people start their career in healthcare. 

“Our students can take their new CNA credentials and have an immediate, direct impact on their families and communities. They are eager to step into a healthcare career that will provide better lives for their families through consistent, meaningful employment, earning family sustaining wages and having opportunities to continue to grow in their career,” says Karen England, program manager, mission services. “Their communities benefit from having more skilled healthcare workers who can support individuals across their lifespan and in a variety of home and community environments.”