‘Dreams can come true:’ Healthcare ESOL Bridge and CNA Student Pursues Passion of Working in Healthcare

“Healthcare is my dream,” said Lucileia, shortly after joining Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthcare ESOL Bridge program in September 2023.

Having now successfully completed the Healthcare ESOL Bridge program and gone on to graduate from Catholic Charities NA/HHA program at the Laboure Center, Lucileia is now preparing to live out that dream every day.

She credits the incredible teachers and mentors she met through both programs for endlessly supporting her and encouraging her to believe in herself, even in the face of life’s obstacles.

“My teachers taught us so much,” she said. “They are amazing and always answering questions.”

Having worked as a training nurse technician in Brazil before she and her family moved to the United States, Lucileia has long known she wanted to continue in healthcare but struggled to break into the field due to the language barrier.

“In both classes, I improved my English, learned about medical technology, and gained new skills,” she said.

Lucileia is currently in the process of applying for nursing assistant jobs at Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel, and Brigham and Women’s. While she isn’t sure where she will land, she says she is just grateful to be in a position where she can apply her skills and channel her passion for helping others.

Above all, she said, she will cherish the relationships she forged with her teachers at Catholic Charities, who she said have not only supported her but have also helped connect her adult daughter to career resources in the community.

“I will keep in touch with my teachers to say thank you and show other people that dreams can come true.”

To learn more about Catholic Charities Boston’s Workforce Development programs, click here.

To learn more about how you can support students like Lucileia, and other clients, visit our Ways to Give page.