“We try to tailor this program to their needs so that it is truly a vision of the community.”
In April 2024, the Erie Center for Arts & Technology hosted a graduation ceremony for the region’s inaugural Freedom House 2.0 class.
Sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, Freedom House 2.0 is a six-week program that introduces participants in underserved communities to careers in health care. Graduates can apply for jobs as medical assistants, patient care technicians, community health workers, and more.
“Without programs like this, it’s really difficult for them to find their way into health care,” says Trevor Mathey, project manager, Freedom House 2.0. “It's great to have this truly entry-level training so they can just get some basic education and get their foot in the door.”
Nine graduates, including a mother-son duo from Nepal, made up Erie’s first class.
As part of the tuition-free program, participants attended classes Monday through Friday for six hours a day. They learned how to treat basic medical emergencies, take vital signs, perform CPR, and more.
“We want to set up a classroom environment that teaches them health care and teaches them community health work,” Trevor says.
That sometimes includes difficult discussions about suicide, homelessness, and food insecurity, Trevor says. Some of the participants may have experienced those or other difficult situations firsthand.
“We're doing it in a way that truly supports them in a wraparound service style — providing them as much support as we possibly can,” Trevor says.
Students receive a stipend and are provided laptops, transportation assistance, and childcare resources. Program officials incorporate participant feedback to better support the needs of each class.
“We survey every student after every class,” Trevor says. “We try to tailor this program to their needs so that it is truly a vision of the community and their needs.”
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