Tuesday, October 11, 2011
CMSS Partners with Wright College for Internship Program
Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services and Wilbur Wright College,
one of the City Colleges of Chicago, have formed a partnership
through the College's Gerontology Program. The College is
leading the way in preparing students to enter careers in
Gerontology, working with the nation's rapidly growing population
of senior citizens. In 2011, the first members of the
nation's 77,000,000 "baby boomers" reached age 65. This,
combined with the fact that the fastest growing segment of the
total population is the "oldest-old," persons 85 years and older,
clearly indicates that the need for employees in senior services
will continue to increase. Trends for older Americans differ
from past decades. Seniors are enjoying longer lives, have
better health, have more active lifestyles, and are growing old in
their own homes ("aging in place").
To meet this rapidly growing population, Wright College offers
both a Basic Certificate and an Associate's Degree in Gerontology
through its Career Programs Department. Career Programs
prepare students for work in specific occupations. In the
Fall, 2011 semester, the Gerontology Program placed 11 students in
internships throughout the city and suburbs.
Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services has welcomed two interns:
Ms. Deidrea McGowen and Ms. Bernestine Hudnell. According to
Wright College Gerontology Coordinator Dr. Tim Andriano, "An
internship is a great way for students to get real-life experiences
of working in senior services where they can apply their academic
education and, at the same time, learn the 'nuts and bolts' of real
work. Students experience firsthand how human service
agencies are struggling with an increase in seniors who need
services while the service providers experience severe cuts in
funding from federal, state, and local government."
Ms. McGowen is doing a rotation through the agency's
administrative departments to increase her knowledge of various
aspects of administration. Ms. Hudnell is interested in
social work and has been assigned to work at Covenant Home of
Chicago, where she is working with different aspects of resident
care.
For more information on how to become an intern or volunteer at
CMSS, please contact the HR department at 773-769-5451 or hr@cmsschicago.org.
For more information about the Wilbur Wright College Gerontology
Program, please contact Tim Andriano, Social Service Program
Coordinator, at 773 481 8832 or tandriano@ccc.edu.
Registration for Spring, 2012 classes runs November 7, 2011 -
January 14, 2012.
Tim Andriano
Social Service Program Coordinator