F.O.L.K. receives grant to fund scholarship program
Friends of the Libraries Kona (F.O.L.K.) recently received a grant of $3,500 from the Arne and Ruth Werchick Charitable Fund to help support the organization’s ongoing scholarship program.
F.O.L.K. is a Kona-based nonprofit group which works to support West Hawaii’s two public libraries in Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua with monetary donations, program support and volunteer involvement.
The organization has been awarding scholarship grants annually to selected applicants since 2013. During that time, 14 scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 have been awarded totaling $31,000.
Arne Werchick, who is the F.O.L.K. board secretary and regular donor to the organization, described the scholarship donation as “an investment in the future.”
The most recent two recipients, Stacy Bisgard and Stephanie Nakamura, are currently pursuing master’s degrees in library and information science.
Bisgard is a resident of Kona and is employed as a Library Assistant II at the Kealakekua Public Library and attends San Jose State University distance learning program. Nakamura, meanwhile, is a resident of Kaneohe, Oahu, and a library assistant at Hawaii Baptist Academy and is in the Rutgers University School of Communication and Information.
Along with the scholarship grant, the Werchick Charitable Fund also recently purchased 140 15-second airtime spots on Hawaii Public Radio to help promote F.O.L.K. The spots will be aired about 12 times a month on various HPR programs over the next two years
Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1988, F.O.L.K. comes under the umbrella of Oahu-based Friends of the Library of Hawaii and currently has more than 300 active members.
For more information, visit www.folkhawaii.com.
Partnership offering CNA training scholarships
The Waimea Resilience Hub is accepting scholarship applications for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training by the Hawaii Institute of Healthcare and Training Services (HIHTS). HIHTS is a state-recognized professional development program in Hilo since 2004. Four scholarships are available on a first come basis for qualified applicants.
“CNAs play a vital role in assisting patients with daily living activities. They provide nursing care and related services to meet the personal needs and comfort of patients, and record and communicate medical data to the medical staff. The goal of HIHTS CNA training is to provide essential education and skills for a safe, efficient and sensitive role as an entry level caregiver. This training can open up employment opportunities ranging from home healthcare to hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, doctor’s offices and hospice,” said Waimea Resilience Hub Coordinator Lauren Avery.
HIHTS’ CNA training runs eight weeks with the next daytime class from April 12 to June 4 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. The next HIHTS evening class runs from May 10 to July 26 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 pm.
Applicants must be at least age 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and be, or become certified in First Aid and CPR. Also required to enter the program will be a physical exam, negative COVID-19 test, a panel of vaccinations, current flu shot and drug screening. Scholarship candidates must exemplify compassion, good communication skills, patience and a commitment to completing the program and applying for a CNA position.
HIHTS CNA training usually costs about $1,500 per person, including tuition, textbook and the First Aid and CPR Certification. The required physical exam, vaccinations, and drug screening, are not included.
For more information, contact Avery (808) 371-2502 or email lavery1@hawaii.rr.com. For more about HIHTS CNA training, visit www.hihts.org/certified-nursing-assistant-cna.html
Waimea Resilience Hub was launched in September 2020 by a team of volunteers as part of a growing islandwide network of hubs inspired and supported by Vibrant Hawaii in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CNA Scholarship fund is a partnership with the Hawaii Institute of Healthcare and Training Services, Vibrant Hawaii and the Waimea Resilience Hub.