The Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka recently awarded its first First Steps Vocational Grant to Shaunee Kyle.

“The objective of the First Step Vocational Grant program is to help folks acquire skills that will directly lead to improved employment positions and higher compensation,” said Club Vocational Service Chair Kristin Kuxhausen.

The First Steps Vocational Grant program is a collaborative project between Southwest Eureka Rotary and major funding partner Rotarian Ron Harris. The program provides financial support for people who seek to pursue training and vocational education that will result in certification or licensing required to enter a better paying profession or career. Grant funding of up to $3,000 is available to defer costs of vocational education for qualified applicants.

Kyle is currently employed locally as a medical assistant. She is enrolled in the nursing program of College of the Redwoods and will begin her studies next month. After completion of the CR program, she plans to attend Cal Poly Humboldt’s nursing program as she pursues her career goal of becoming a nurse practitioner or a registered nurse first assistant.

Southwest Eureka Rotary Club encourages applicants who need vocational education or specialized vocational training to achieve their career goals to consider applying to the club’s First Steps Vocational Grant program. For program information and an online application, go to firststepsgrants.com.

“The main criteria for eligibility is that the individual seeks to enroll in a vocational/technical program that will directly lead to a better-paying job,” said Kuxhausen. “For qualified applicants we can help.”