Stacia Frazier wanted her life back and she wasn’t about to let the current COVID-19 health crisis interfere with her plans.
“For more than 20 years, I have put my life goals and dreams on hold due to kids, finances, fear and so forth, but this program gave me hope and the strength to believe in myself and just step out and take charge of my life,” said Stacia.
The program to which she refers is called GREAT, or Getting Ready to Excel, Achieve and Triumph. Sponsored by the Delta Health Alliance (DHA), the five-year-old GREAT program enabled Stacia to complete her work to become a medical assistant. And she did it all in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The health crisis didn’t affect my ability to achieve my goals,” she said. “I was determined to complete the course. And not only has it helped me with my goals, but it has also given me a better understanding about how to be the best mother I can be to my daughter.”
I was determined to complete the course. And not only has it helped me with my goals, but it has also given me a better understanding about how to be the best mother I can be to my daughter.
Starting in February and finishing in May, Stacia completed the 16-week course at the Grant Allied Health and Training Institute in Greenville. Last year, DHA saw at least 40 people participate in the GREAT program, each seeking careers in a variety of fields.
GREAT offers courses of study for those interested in becoming medical assistants, nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, welders, carpenters and pipe fitters. GREAT is open to residents who are between 18-24 years old; recipients of a high school diploma or GED; and interested in a career in the programs offered through GREAT.
“I can now hold my head high and know that I can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Stacia. “My children can now have a mother that they can look up to and be proud of. I am now looking to get into a nursing program, and I have the GREAT program to thank for that.”
