Room at the Inn is providing scholarships for mothers in their program to take CNA and other medical classes, giving them the career skills they need to take care of themselves and their families (Lisa Geraci)KERNERSVILLE — Room at the Inn, the Triad organization that has sheltered hundreds of homeless pregnant mothers since 2001, now offers scholarships for CNA, phlebotomy and medical aide classes that are empowering mothers and breaking the cycle of poverty.
“A lot of the (graduates) are already working and independent. We are seeing full transformations,” reported Angie Lukhard, RATI’s associate director of education/training.
The mothers come to RATI homeless and jobless with nowhere to turn, their dreams of being able to provide for their children barred by obstacles.
“A lot of single moms don’t have money for childcare or transportation. We provide both,” Lukhard said. “We are the family they never had. We are their support system.”
Success stories
That was true for Terri Ethridge, who holds her infant as she watches the new students typing away. She was sitting at that same table months ago. Now she is a certified CNA and a licensed phlebotomist.
She came to RATI in desperation at 32. “I was pregnant and homeless when I called Room at the Inn,” Ethridge said. “The pregnancy was a surprise that all came at the wrong time.”
Before her pregnancy she barely scraped by, and then found herself on the streets.
“It all got to a point where I couldn’t keep up and life happened,” she said. “I didn’t have anyone to depend on really except God and then the Room at the Inn.”
When she heard about the CNA program, she was staying at RATI’s Mary Nussbaum Maternity Home and thought it sounded like an unbelievable opportunity.
“I never thought I would be in the healthcare field,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to help people. I just didn’t know the avenue.”
Now Ethridge is on a path to independence.
The path home
RATI’s third CNA session started this summer with 17 enrollees.
Before starting coursework, they bring their little packages of joy to the RATI volunteer center in Kernersville’s trained staff.
The students start their journey at RATI, then proceed to labs at Arise Health Training Institute in High Point and ultimately end with clinicals at nearby Pennybyrn.
Upon graduation, staff, excited to see the graduated placed, assist them with resume building and interview skills.
“We are trying to get them to a place where they are independent and can take care of themselves and their family,” Lukhard said.
In her graduation gown, Ethridge stood on the stage as she held her most prized possession – the six-month-old boy.
“On the inside I am at peace. I feel more grounded and more confident,” she said. “This has strengthened me and my soul.”
She just bought a home, and her baby and RATI brought her smile back, she said.
“Seeing the pride on their faces, and watching them learn is so rewarding,” Lukhard said.
A founder with a mission
Albert Hodges, founder of Room at the Inn and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church parishioner, tirelessly fights against abortion and childhood poverty.
“If you are going to be a pro-life community, you can’t be just against abortion, you have to help these women,” he said. “You want to help them find what they want to be … because then they invest in it and you give them hope.”
North Carolina ranks 14th in the nation for childhood poverty, according to the NC Budget and Tax Center. Compounded by the 1990s decline in the textile industry, the 2008 recession, and a shift away from agriculture, the problem has lasted for decades.
Roughly one in five children live in poverty, with more than 504,000 facing food insecurity, according to Feeding America.
Typically food insecurity is fought with food drives and government support, but some, like Hodges, are investing in the person. Hope and education are the path to long-term sustainability, he said.
Surrounding mothers with life coaches, spiritual directors and teachers, RATI removes stumbling blocks that prevent growth.
“This gives them the opportunity to have a career where they can support their families and have some pride. Now they are being who the Lord called them to be,” Hodges said.
— Lisa M. Geraci