Fatima Afshar's remarkable journey—from arriving in this country seven months ago to becoming a dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Holy Cross Hospital’s Intermediate Care Unit—exemplifies her unwavering determination and perseverance. And the impact of receiving a CNA degree through the Primary Care Coalition's Department of Labor (DOL)-funded Workforce Capacity program.
"I left my home country with few opportunities to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse,” Afshar says. “When I moved here, PCC helped me to enroll at Montgomery College. I was unsure of my ability to pursue the certification, but I was determined to try. Through a friend, I found out about the scholarship. It made all the difference in the world. I had found a way.”
In addition to Nexus Montgomery hospital partners and training institutions like Montgomery College, PCC’s Workforce Capacity program partners with community organizations that provide outreach, wraparound services, and student support. Candidate referrals come from these partners and a wide variety of county organizations. Current enrollees include immigrants from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Ghana, and El Salvador, as well as U.S. students. The goal is for program participants like Fatima to find employment with a Nexus Montgomery hospital, giving them additional career advancement opportunities and financial stability.
Fatima’s experience demonstrates the scholarship's effectiveness in delivering personalized solutions and equipping individuals for successful careers in healthcare. Fatima is grateful for the scholarship and the crucial support system it provided. She credits much of her success to the demanding schoolwork, peer encouragement, and supervision from her Montgomery College professor, Metassebia Kefelegn. "Professor Metassebia was a great source of inspiration and support for me, especially when I was unsure whether I could continue with the program,” Afshar says. “But she encouraged me: ‘You are strong; you can do this.’ " Afshar’s clinical training experience at Holy Cross Hospital gave her a solid foundation for her current job in the Intermediate Care Unit. She feels confident in her skills and well-prepared. In addition to getting her started in the training program, PCC assisted in the job search by helping her write a resume and connect with Holy Cross’s recruitment staff.
The happiness and pride in her mother's eyes when she saw Afshar in her nurse's uniform highlight the transformative power of educational possibilities, as well as the importance of perseverance and dedication in attaining one's goals. Afshar’s husband, Amanullah Rahimi, has supported her throughout her journey, and Fatima believes it has impacted her daughters, too: “They can see that dreams are worthwhile since they can come true.”
PCC’s Workforce Capacity program aims to train 200 people for entry-level jobs by the end of 2025 with DOL funding, and 97 people have already enrolled. Through training, job readiness and employment navigation services, PCC and community partners are helping Montgomery County residents take the first step to career advancement and economic stability.
A grant from the U.S. Department of Labor(DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration funds 92.8% ($1.3 million) of the cost to train 200 healthcare workers and increase Montgomery College training capacity between December 2023 and November 2025. Non-governmental funds, including support from Maryland Physicians Care, support 7.2% ($101,615) of these costs. Additional workforce capacity efforts have been supported by WorkSource Montgomery and Maryland Physicians Care.
"I left my home country with few opportunities to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse,” Afshar says. “When I moved here, PCC helped me to enroll at Montgomery College. I was unsure of my ability to pursue the certification, but I was determined to try. Through a friend, I found out about the scholarship. It made all the difference in the world. I had found a way.”
In addition to Nexus Montgomery hospital partners and training institutions like Montgomery College, PCC’s Workforce Capacity program partners with community organizations that provide outreach, wraparound services, and student support. Candidate referrals come from these partners and a wide variety of county organizations. Current enrollees include immigrants from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Ghana, and El Salvador, as well as U.S. students. The goal is for program participants like Fatima to find employment with a Nexus Montgomery hospital, giving them additional career advancement opportunities and financial stability.
Fatima’s experience demonstrates the scholarship's effectiveness in delivering personalized solutions and equipping individuals for successful careers in healthcare. Fatima is grateful for the scholarship and the crucial support system it provided. She credits much of her success to the demanding schoolwork, peer encouragement, and supervision from her Montgomery College professor, Metassebia Kefelegn. "Professor Metassebia was a great source of inspiration and support for me, especially when I was unsure whether I could continue with the program,” Afshar says. “But she encouraged me: ‘You are strong; you can do this.’ " Afshar’s clinical training experience at Holy Cross Hospital gave her a solid foundation for her current job in the Intermediate Care Unit. She feels confident in her skills and well-prepared. In addition to getting her started in the training program, PCC assisted in the job search by helping her write a resume and connect with Holy Cross’s recruitment staff.
The happiness and pride in her mother's eyes when she saw Afshar in her nurse's uniform highlight the transformative power of educational possibilities, as well as the importance of perseverance and dedication in attaining one's goals. Afshar’s husband, Amanullah Rahimi, has supported her throughout her journey, and Fatima believes it has impacted her daughters, too: “They can see that dreams are worthwhile since they can come true.”
PCC’s Workforce Capacity program aims to train 200 people for entry-level jobs by the end of 2025 with DOL funding, and 97 people have already enrolled. Through training, job readiness and employment navigation services, PCC and community partners are helping Montgomery County residents take the first step to career advancement and economic stability.
A grant from the U.S. Department of Labor(DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration funds 92.8% ($1.3 million) of the cost to train 200 healthcare workers and increase Montgomery College training capacity between December 2023 and November 2025. Non-governmental funds, including support from Maryland Physicians Care, support 7.2% ($101,615) of these costs. Additional workforce capacity efforts have been supported by WorkSource Montgomery and Maryland Physicians Care.
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