Angelique Brown has been a nursing assistant since she was 17. Helping others has always given her a sense of purpose that she loved.
Originally from Mount Vernon, Brown has remained in Westchester to pursue her career goals: becoming a nurse in a correctional facility and eventually a healthcare attorney.
“My ultimate goal is to become a healthcare attorney, where I can fight for patient rights, support healthcare workers, and advocate for systemic changes,” Brown says.
With a background in criminal justice, Brown is now a participant in the SEIU 1199 Healthcare Training Program. The program is helping fund her B.S. in nursing at Mercy University while she works as a certified nursing assistant at the Dumont Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in New Rochelle.
“This program has played a major role in helping me move forward by removing financial barriers and allowing me to stay focused on my long-term goals,” she says.
The Career Pathways Training Program, launched by the 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF), seeks to address staffing shortages in healthcare across the region. This initiative offers free education, career advancement opportunities, and guaranteed job placement in local healthcare facilities.
“The program has allowed me to feel seen, encouraged, and capable,” Brown shares. “Knowing that I have financial and emotional support has taken a huge weight off my shoulders and helped me stay focused on school.”
The program is part of a larger initiative, a 1115 Medicaid waiver, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the New York State Department of Health, says Becky Hall, the director of community engagement at 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Funds.
The program offers 13 funded career paths in healthcare, including roles such as mental health counselors, registered nurses, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, and patient care coordinators.
As of mid-May, 1199 SEIU has almost 2,000 active participants at over 100 schools, says Hall. There are more than 1,000 students in nursing programs and 120 in master’s of social work programs.
Jason Chapin, the director of workforce development at the Westchester County Association, says that $405 million in funding is allocated to the downstate region for this program.
“These funds must be utilized by 2027, and both 1199 and non-1199 members are eligible,” Chapin says. “Fully utilizing this funding will make a significant impact on Westchester and the surrounding areas.”
For Brown, the only thing that held her back from her goals was the cost of nursing school. That’s when she says Naudia Grose, a field coordinator for 1199 SEIU, introduced her to the training program.
“It felt like a blessing,” Brown enthuses. “They’ve helped turn a low point in my life into an opportunity for growth, and I will never take that for granted.”
The program covers all tuition fees, books, materials, and administrative costs, allowing students to focus on their education without a financial burden. Students also benefit from case management, tutoring, test preparation, and career counseling during school.
Although it can be hard to balance school and work, Brown says she limits herself to working no more than 16 hours each week at Dumont Center. Working per diem lets her stay focused on school, which is the most important thing for her right now.
Brown says that in addition to nursing skills, she’s also learning how to manage her time, prioritize responsibilities, and stay disciplined even during challenging moments.
“I’ve learned to advocate for myself and use the resources available to me, which are essential skills not only for nursing but for life,” Brown notes.
Next Steps
For people who are interested in the SEIU 1199 training program, Brown says they should go for it and apply here. She said the program helped to give her a second chance and turn her life around when she was struggling.
“You never know how much it could change your life,” Brown observes. “If you’re passionate about your future and you need support, this program can give you the resources and encouragement you need to succeed.”
Related: A New Healthcare Training Program Is Available in Westchester
