Students in Capilano University’s Health Care Assistant (HCA) program each received $200 from the Sechelt Health Care Auxiliary’s Hopkins Branch on Sept. 30.
Fran Miller, a member of the Hopkins Branch, told the students that they would be receiving double the funding from last year.
“We are delighted to be able to provide this support to the caring individuals who have chosen a career which could lead to helping seniors remain in their homes for as long as possible,” Miller said.
The Sechelt Hospital Auxiliary Hopkins Branch has donated to the Health Care Assistant program for many years. Last year they had enough funds to give each student $100. This year each student received $200. There are 20 students in the program.
Miller said that the donation was in recognition of the important role health care assistants play in ensuring quality care for many residents of the Coast.
Funds go towards program-related expenses such as tuition fees and textbooks.
Sunshine Coast HCA program convenor Jules Smith said she was very appreciative of the support from the auxiliary.
“The funds awarded by the Hopkins Branch represent incredible support for our students, both financially as well as psychologically by committing resources towards their success,” Smith said. “Many of our students are mature learners from a range of backgrounds and will recognize this as a vote of confidence in their capacity”.
The Health Care Assistant program is a seven-month intensive program focused on building practical skills. According to Smith, students are taught to care for and nurture independence and self-determination for those in need of assistance.
More than 100 students have graduated from CapU’s HCA program over the past 10 years. According to Smith, many of them now work in health and community care on the Sunshine Coast.
