Texans Can Academies is pleased to announce the graduation of 10 students from the Baylor Scott & White Health & Wellness Center’s Community Health Worker Training program.

The program is a 160-hour competency-based training that covers eight core components of working in healthcare including communication, interpersonal skills, service coordination, capacity building, advocacy, teaching, organizational skills and knowledge base in specific health issues.

Rufus Johnson, principal at Texans Can Academies - Dallas North, said the students are a prime example of how students at the school can use their programs to create a bright future for themselves with the right tools and guidance.

“Of course, we are proud of each of our Texans Can Academies students,” Johnson said. “But these ten really went beyond what was expected and took proactive steps to create a better future for themselves by embracing educational opportunities.”

Community Health Workers are often trusted members of their communities, acting as an intermediary between members of the community and healthcare providers. Their knowledge of their communities and the healthcare system is a vital part of promoting overall community health.

“These students recognized the power of being an integral part of the healthcare experience, and I have no doubt their future endeavors will benefit themselves and the communities in which they serve,” Johnson said.

Texans Can Academies serve as a place for learning for underserved youth, with the hope of giving their students a leg up on their future by providing the educational tools needed to fully explore their potential.

“We have seen over the years the ways our students can become the stewards of their future and excel in the workforce and in their personal lives,” Johnson said. “Their ability to overcome challenges with the foundation we provide is simply astounding.”

Despite struggles, principal credits students’ hard work for the accomplishment

Any graduation is time for celebration, but for 41 students at the Dallas Oak Cliff campus of the Texans Can Academies, this year’s celebration of the achievement means even more, as students dealt with the ongoing difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The students’ accomplishment was celebrated at 6:30 p.m. on March 31 during an outdoor ceremony.

Principal Norma Villegas attributes the achievement to the resilience and hard work of the senior class.

“It was my esteemed pleasure to pay special recognition to the class of 2021 for keeping their senior year alive, while facing a myriad of defining moments,” Villegas said. “After seeing each of them perform under such pressure, I am certain the best is yet to come in all of their future endeavors.”

With the many twists and turns the students faced through the year, she said the class faced every challenge head on and never gave up the goal of graduating.

“It would have been easy for the students to give up during this year,” Villegas said. “But every time a new obstacle got in the way, the students in this class pushed through, keeping their eyes toward graduation, and it was extremely heartwarming to send these students off the right way, diploma in hand and ready for the future.” 

Texans Can Superintendent Dr. James J. Ponce also recognized the students’ efforts at the Dallas Oak Cliff location during a year of difficulties.

“These students pushed through incredible adversity to achieve this first, in what I am sure will be a long list, of lifetime accomplishments,” Ponce said. “Their hard work and positive attitudes showcase the spirit of all of the learners at Texans Can Academies.”

About Texans Can Academies

Texans Can Academies believe reading is the key to empowerment, personal fulfillment, success and employment. The schools ensure their students have the reading and writing skills needed to complete all coursework to earn their high school diploma and establish economic independence after graduation.

For over 35 years, Texans Can Academies has continued to provide the highest quality education for all students. Texans Can Academies are a unique network of 14 dropout recovery schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The schools are tuition-free, open enrollment, public high schools of choice serving students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. To date, more than 171,759 youth have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. 

For more information, visit texanscan.org.