The Temple Cares Bridge to Employment program, an initiative of Temple University’s College of Education Intergenerational Center, is pioneering pathways for young Philadelphians to excel in the healthcare industry. Specifically designed for young adults aged 17-24 in North Philadelphia who are not currently enrolled in school or employed, Temple Cares provides vital tools for career advancement and securing positions such as behavioral technicians, certified nurse aides, and medical office personnel.
Through comprehensive career training, robust supportive services, and valuable paid internships, Temple Cares empowers participants with the essential knowledge, skill development, and practical experiences needed to establish stable healthcare careers. Furthermore, successful completion of the Temple Cares Program awards participants with an industry-recognized credential, significantly enhancing their competitiveness in the job market. Graduates also have the opportunity to become job coaches, mentoring future participants and extending the program’s reach.
Temple Cares has achieved remarkable success by directly aligning young adults with their desired healthcare career paths. Dr. Patience Lehrman, Assistant Dean of Workforce Development at Temple’s College of Education and the founder of Temple Cares, emphasizes the program’s role in creating organized access to job opportunities where previously there was a lack of coordination. “I was particularly struck by the lack of a coordinated strategy in higher education to support the training and employment needs of under-served youth who are not college-bound,” Dr. Lehrman stated. She further noted the Temple Cares model’s successful replication across Temple University and other higher education institutions in Philadelphia, demonstrating its effectiveness. The achievements of Temple Cares underscore that a combination of practical on-the-job experience, tailored individual support, and direct engagement with employers is crucial for effective workforce development. This approach, exemplified by Temple Cares, effectively dismantles significant barriers that often hinder career progression for young adults.
Beyond its quantifiable successes, Dr. Lehrman finds the most rewarding aspect of Temple Cares to be its ability to empower young individuals. Particularly for young adults in North Philadelphia, the program provides crucial resources and support, enabling them to take control of their futures. Participants are given the chance to leverage their inherent skills, transform their lives, and make positive contributions to their families and broader communities. Temple Cares aims to expand its network of providers dedicated to addressing the specific needs of North Philadelphia. Future plans include scaling the program to engage even more young adults in the coming years. By doing so, Temple Cares seeks to deepen its collective impact on local neighborhoods, striving to elevate more community members out of poverty and into meaningful and sustainable workforce opportunities within the healthcare sector.
LNPWI proudly partners with Temple Cares and commends their dedicated work in North Philadelphia. For further details on how to support Temple Cares or to apply to their programs, please visit their website at https://education.temple.edu/templecares/.
