by Suzanne Potter, Producer
Latino Conservation Week was in full swing, with 330 events across the U.S. and 90 in California alone.
The 11th annual event ran through Sunday. The program is designed to draw people outside to enjoy public lands and work to protect the nation’s air, land, water and wildlife.
Jessica Godinez, Latino Conservation Week manager for the Hispanic Access Foundation, explained the goal of the week.
“It was established to break down different barriers of access that the Latino community faces when it comes to accessing public lands,” Godinez outlined. “And inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Godinez pointed out her group is encouraging authorities to improve access to public lands by making them less expensive, easier to reach via public transportation, more wheelchair-friendly and more culturally relevant.
Godinez added the events also promote a variety of environmental causes.
“Here at Hispanic Access Foundation, we focus our conservation work on climate change, ocean conservation, waterways and rivers and public lands,” Godinez noted. “We try to amplify and elevate the voices of our community.”
Latino Conservation Week was moved from July to September this year because of a record-breaking heat wave that gripped the state over the summer. The programming includes group hikes and other outdoor recreational opportunities, community film screenings and more.
New CA program helps health care grads afford tests and licensing
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – California is facing a huge shortage of qualified health care workers, so the San Diego Community College District is stepping in to help recent grads afford professional testing and licensing.
The Ready2Work program reimburses health care students’ fees as soon as they take the test or apply for the certification or license.
Laurie Coskey, vice chancellor for development and entrepreneurship for the San Diego Community College District, said they are responding to the needs of the marketplace.
“There is a big shortage in registered nurses, the radiology technicians, phlebotomy, information management assistants, dental assistants, vet techs,” Coskey outlined. “They are in high demand.”
The fees average about $500 and reimbursements range from $240 up to $1,200, mostly covered by foundations, private donors and some public funds. Health care students automatically qualify at San Diego City College, Mesa College, Miramar College and the College of Continuing Education.
Coskey noted many students struggle financially and have families to support, so without the reimbursement, they would have to work and save for up to six months after graduation to cover the fees.
“The sooner our students take their tests from finishing the program, the more likelihood is that they will pass the test and get right into work,” Coskey emphasized. “Our students are very excited.”
Hundreds have benefited so far, with about $385,000 expected to help about 1,000 additional graduates this school year.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
