Rural Resources Employment and Training programs, a WorkSource partner, support our community members by giving them the resources they need to succeed in the workforce and find careers and opportunities they are passionate about. Both Elizebeth and River worked with Mary Sterling in our Rural Resources Newport office to advance their careers. Below are their stories and experiences that helped them succeed. Great work and congratulations Elizebeth and River! Thank you, Mary, for the great work you do in Newport!

“I’m River Tompkins and I am now a Certified Nursing Assistant thanks to Rural Resources Employment and Training programs. I started in the kitchen at the Newport Hospital and worked there for about a year while getting to know the residents of River Mountain Advance Care, assisting them in any little way I could. That wasn’t enough for me though because I wanted to help more. That’s when I heard about the upcoming Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) class held here in Newport.

After, finding out from my girlfriend that Rural Resources helps pay for your classes, I had to try and apply for the program. I successfully secured a spot in the class of 6 and spent the next 5 weeks studying hard and meeting new friends.

After, I finished the program, I had to drive back to Alabama where I spent 6 months helping my family with their business in the middle of the pandemic, while keeping my nursing assistant skills fresh. When I came back to Washington, I became a CNA, and I am now working at the River Mountain Advanced Care here in Newport.

I wouldn’t have been able to achieve such a feat without Mary Sterling and Rural Resources, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for helping me follow my dreams. Thank you, Mary!”

“Elizebeth attained her AA degree at an early age and spent some time in the local labor market working as a Barista. She discovered that she had an interest in pursuing a medical career and decided that becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) would be a good first step in her career pathway.  Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant while attending additional training to become an RN would be a good way to support herself and be a part of the medical community along the way.

She applied for and was accepted into the Nursing Assistant Class at River Mountain Training Center in Newport, WA.  During the interview, she learned about the Rural Resources Employment and Training programs as a potential funding source to help her with her training. 

Rural Resources was able to assist Liz with tuition and testing fees as well as help with other support services (depending on client needs, support services may include such items as scrubs, gas vouchers, work boots, etc).  She states that she could not have participated in this training without Rural Resources funding and the follow-along support she received along the way.  Liz graduated from the class in May 2021 and has successfully passed her state exams and is now working in the Acute Care Department for Newport Hospital and Health Services.  She enjoys working in this department as it brings a variety of tasks in a fast-paced multi-age environment.

Congratulations Liz on a job well done and best wishes for future success!”