Page 5 - Newsletter_Spring_2022

Training & Tools Grants

Makes A Difference

By Lisa Perfitt ’82, Training & Tools Program Chair
After just a year in existence, impact with patients in the to work extra shifts to fund
the Training & Tools Grants community as a whole, in my education. This grant Josh Sutton at work at
program is already making this role versus caring for afforded me some breathing Internal Medicine
a difference for several patients admitted to the room to focus on my studies
alums seeking to increase hospital. He entered the instead of work extra shifts We are sure he is very proud
their skills for employability MA program through Adult to pay for it by myself,” he of Joshua’s accomplishments.
or needing tools for their and Community Education said, adding that he is “very
chosen profession. To date, (ACE) in September 2021 appreciative of the funding.” Joshua lives in Hodgdon with
six training grants have and completed his clinical his fiancé, Janet Geiger and
been approved and two for experience through Adult Joshua offers the following their daughter, Delilah.
tools. Two applications were Education. He performed advice for anyone looking The Training & Tools Grants
pending at press time. job shadowing in the Internal to further their education, Program is available to any
Medicine office of the Sigrid “Even if you don’t think Houlton High School alum
One grantee who has Tompkins Rural Health you’re going to finish, take
benefitted from a training Center until finishing his it one step at a time. This living or working in the
grant is Joshua Sutton who program in March. Josh builds confidence when you Southern Aroostook area.
recently completed the plans to continue on to get don’t overstimulate your Grants may be awarded
Medical Assisting program. his Certification in this field brain. It helps you focus for either a skills training
program that may lead
Joshua transplanted to as well. more on the present; take to a license, certification,
one assignment at a time;
Houlton in 2009 from Looking towards the future, don’t stress over what might or associate degree or for
Yuma, AZ with his parents Joshua has taken an “every be the next assignment.” the purchase of tools and
who owned Uncle Willy’s three-year approach” in that equipment needed for
Candy Shoppe. He attended he commits to working in his Joshua says he was most vocational work. A grant
Houlton schools before current role for three years influenced by his brother, can cover up to 90% of
relocating to Louisa, VA. He then re-evaluating whether Justin, stating that, “Justin the cost of tuition/fees or
returned to Maine in 2016. he wants to continue in was always supportive of tools. Applicants may be of
Joshua received his Certified the present job or whether whatever I wanted to do. any age and must meet all
Nurses’ Assistant training he wants to pursue a new
through Windward Gardens field. “One you are in a job, The Training & Tools Grants
in Camden. He relocated to you never know what doors
Houlton in June 2021 and open for you until you have Program is available to any
started his employment with continued with it for a few
Houlton Regional Hospital years,” Joshua said. Houlton High School alum . . .
on its Acute Care Unit.
While seeing the value in He always cheered me on requirements for their desired
Joshua has always wanted furthering his education, and encouraged me to keep training program. There is
to further his career in Joshua also recognizes that going, even when things a rolling application process
the medical field. He there is a lot of financial got hard.” Joshua explained with the committee meeting
was unsure whether he stress that comes along with that this would encourage monthly. Applications
wanted to pursue nursing that. Receiving the Training him to keep going and to for diverse vocations are
as an LPN or RN. Upon & Tools Grant award helped push himself to finish his welcome. The application
learning about the Medical to alleviate that level of stress studies. Joshua lost Justin in form is available on the
Assisting (MA) program, he for him as he completed his September 2021, just as he Alumni web site at www.
felt he would have a bigger MA program. “I didn’t have was starting his MA training. houltonalumni.com.

www.houltonalumni.com PAGE 5