On October 24th and December 28th
of 2006, graduation ceremonies were
held to proudly celebrate the completion
of the 43-hour Dementia
Care Specialist Training program by
dedicated home care workers from
the 1199/SEIU Bill Michelson Home
Care Industry Education Fund.
Friends, relatives, co-workers and
supervisors were present at each ceremony
to honor the achievement of
the graduates. Theresa Alphanso
opened the October 24th ceremony
with a prayer. Rachael Saez and
Kristen Daley related their personal
experiences of the training to the
group. Rita Clarke,Theresa Alphanso,
Jocelyne Benjamin, Maggy Metra
and Gerda Pierre related how the
training had impacted their daily
contact with clients living with
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
It was clear that the graduates
worked hard to put into practice the
material they learned in the training.
Lyubov Kryvtzun and Wadyah
“Woody” Hassan shared heartfelt
poetry. A “group sing” closed the
ceremony. This Training was made
possible by a grant from the William
Randolph Hearst Foundation and
was held at the NYC Chapter.
Furthering their accomplishments,
on December 28th, an additional
group of home care workers from
the 1199/SEIU Bill Michelson
Home Care Industry Education Fund
gathered to celebrate their completion
of the 43-hour Dementia Care
Specialist Training. The ceremony
opened with a prayer by Frederick
Reeves. Graduates Inna Kovalenko,
Marilyn Julien, Raquel Rodriguez,
Donya Binder, Aissata Diallo and
Kathy Duncan shared their personal
experiences. Mary Ann Marks presented
class remarks. We enjoyed a
special musical number by Frederick
and the graduates joined in for a
rousing rendition of “When the Saints
Go Marching In.”
The October 24th group was my
first graduation as the Chapter’s
Dementia Care Trainer and I will
always remember them. They made
a distinct impact on my experience
as a trainer. Every training class will
enrich my experience. All of the
graduates received a Certificate of
Completion. I wish the best to each
of them as they continue to provide
excellence in dementia care to those
fortunate enough to cross their paths.
— Nancy Lee Hendley
Demenita Care Trainer
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