Graduates of 1199SEIU’s most recent Safety and Health class say they were so inspired by the basic eight-week program that they are eager to attend advanced classes.
They praised the program during the graduation exercises April 21 at the Union’s Manhattan headquarters. “I can’t wait to take the advanced classes,” says Sandra Boles, a home attendant at Manhattan’s School Settlement Home Attendant Services.
“This class was unique because for the first time, every student was a homecare worker,” says Jean Turner-Kelly, who recently retired from 1199SEIU but continues to facilitate the Safety and Health classes. “The ten women in the class were great. They were attentive and enthusiastic and they all helped each other. One student, Karla Jackson of Cerebral Palsy home care, although she had a sprained ankle, hobbled into class one evening.”
“We worked in beautiful unity,” says Nicole Williams of United Jewish Council. “The classes were so helpful and edifying. So much of the curriculum that is taught to hospital and nursing home workers also applies to us. We work directly with clients and do cooking, cleaning, lifting, bending and even some psychology. So much of what we leaned in the classes will help us with our clients and in our personal lives. I only wish that more homecare members had participated.”
Williams says she especially appreciated the classes on hazardous materials and infection control. “The brochures from NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) are excellent,” she says. “And what was especially helpful was what we learned about workers compensation and other legal rights. I give the classes ten thumbs up.”
Williams was chosen as the commencement speaker for the class. Also addressing the graduates was Homecare Division VP Keith Joseph, who congratulated the women and urged them to continue their training and activities.
The next eight-week session begins in September. It is open to all 1199ers in the New York Metropolitan region. To sign up for the classes, members should speak to their Union Organizer for applications.
They praised the program during the graduation exercises April 21 at the Union’s Manhattan headquarters. “I can’t wait to take the advanced classes,” says Sandra Boles, a home attendant at Manhattan’s School Settlement Home Attendant Services.
“This class was unique because for the first time, every student was a homecare worker,” says Jean Turner-Kelly, who recently retired from 1199SEIU but continues to facilitate the Safety and Health classes. “The ten women in the class were great. They were attentive and enthusiastic and they all helped each other. One student, Karla Jackson of Cerebral Palsy home care, although she had a sprained ankle, hobbled into class one evening.”
“We worked in beautiful unity,” says Nicole Williams of United Jewish Council. “The classes were so helpful and edifying. So much of the curriculum that is taught to hospital and nursing home workers also applies to us. We work directly with clients and do cooking, cleaning, lifting, bending and even some psychology. So much of what we leaned in the classes will help us with our clients and in our personal lives. I only wish that more homecare members had participated.”
Williams says she especially appreciated the classes on hazardous materials and infection control. “The brochures from NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) are excellent,” she says. “And what was especially helpful was what we learned about workers compensation and other legal rights. I give the classes ten thumbs up.”
Williams was chosen as the commencement speaker for the class. Also addressing the graduates was Homecare Division VP Keith Joseph, who congratulated the women and urged them to continue their training and activities.
The next eight-week session begins in September. It is open to all 1199ers in the New York Metropolitan region. To sign up for the classes, members should speak to their Union Organizer for applications.
