Candido Perez
YTTW AlumniGraduate: Essex County Vocational Technical High School
Town of Residence: Newark, NJ
Employed Since: August 2009
Current Employer: Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
Candido was our first in everything. First tested, interviewed, accepted and placed to work. We are very proud of Candido and all he has accomplished. Since Candido has been a part of the YTTW CNA Apprenticeship Program, he has been provided with all the necessary tools and support from the YTTW CNA Program staff, to help him succeed as a CNA at one of the most prestigious hospitals in our area, St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston. Mr. Candido Perez has stated, “Working as an entry level nurse makes me proud. I love working at St. Barnabas. I have a real opportunity to have a good life…”
Update: Candido has been employed for 5 years at St. Barnabas as a CNA in the ICU. He balances this with his pursuit for his degree in Nursing at Union County College.
Fahairah Comrie
YTTW AlumniGraduate: Central High School Town of Residence: Newark, NJ Employed Since: October 2009
Current Employer: Inglemoor Care Center, Livingston, NJ
Fahairah Comrie completed Central High School and was not sure what direction she was going until she was introduced to the YTTW CNA program. Fahairah was excited about the opportunity to become a nurse so she applied to our YTTW CNA program. Fahairah completed her Certified Nurse Assistant Certification Fall 2009. She was placed to work immediately at Inglemoor Care Center in Livingston, NJ, where she continues to be employed. Fahairah is finishing her 2nd year of College where she is studying to become a Registered Nurse. Fahairah was just offered a position with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ).
Update: Fahairah has been employed with UMDNJ Medical Center, Newark, for the past 3.5 years. She is also attending Rutgers University majoring in Psychology.
Elissa Leon - Class of 2013
Elissa is our overachiever. She currently maintains a 3.8 GPA at James Ferris High School in Jersey City, has managed to become certified as a Financial Literacy teacher, and was the Team Winner last year in Hudson County’s Junior Academic Competition Jeopardy. Needless to say, Elissa comes to the YTTW Program with a variety of important skills. Elissa also speaks fluent Spanish! Elissa works part time at Clara Maass Medical Center, while attending New Jersey City University. Piumika Rajapakse - Class of 2013
An active competitive swimmer in both the backstroke and freestyle, “Piumi” has also excelled in the Marine Corp Junior ROTC Program, and is currently a Lance Corporal. She is a very determined and disciplined young woman, but has great compassion for the sick and elderly.” Piumi is also fluent in Hindi and Sinhala. Piumika is currently employed at Clara Maass Medical Center, while attending Hudson County College.Gesley Berberabe - Class of 2013
Hesham Ali - Class of 2013
“Hesh” is an active Track and Field runner and competes regularly in Hudson County. But he’s also a great student, and excels in Math and the Sciences and has a 3.5 GPA at Hudson County Prep in Jersey City. And did I mention that he’s also fluent in Arabic and speaks Spanish?! Hesh is currently employed at St. Barnabas, Livingston as a PTA, while attending Rutgers University. Stephanie Guerrero - Class of 2013
Nataliya Cherkasets - Class of 2013
Nataliya attended Eastside High School in Newark, and has a rich cultural background, having emigrated from the Ukraine as a teen. She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian and maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. Additionally, Nataliya has been awarded certificates of achievement in Math and Chemistry and while a sales associate at Dunkin Donuts, she learned how to communicate with people, provide quality service, solve problems, and manage her time and money. She is also highly proficient in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Nataliya now works part-time at St. Barnabas Medical Center as a PTA, while attending Seton Hall University.Mariem Abedullah - Class of 2013
Mariem is a star student! She has many skills and has received numerous awards for her hard work and dedication. While attending high school at HCST – County Prep she received a silver medal in the Health Knowledge Bowl Competition. Mariem is currently attending New Jersey City University as well as working as a CNA at Fountains at the Manor Nursing Home in Secaucus, NJ.Leonel Ayala - Class of 2013
Amy Miranda - Class of 2013
Amy is an excellent student who is very admirable. She attended Union County Vo-Tech High School and is a two-time YTTW student. She came into the YTTW program as a junior and her senior year she was voted class President because of her dedication and exceptional skills as a leader. She is always prepared and always willing to participate and go above and beyond in whatever she does. She exudes a great presence wherever she is. This is why she will excel as a CNA at Barnabas Health, in Livingston. Amy works part time, while attending Union County College as a full time student.Brenda Mota-Lopes - Class of 2013
Brenda graduated from Union County Vo-Tech High School, and Brenda was involved in HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America). She was the art club secretary, and volunteered at a veterinary. She was able to juggle a part –time job along with school and other extra-curricular activities. Brenda was placed at Inglemoor Rehabilitation & Care Center in Livingston as a CNA, while attending Seton Hall University.Ericka Zapet - Class of 2013
Ericka graduated from Union City High School. She is an assertive young woman with a charismatic personality. She is a go-getter and has a quiet confidence. She expresses diligence and dedication which will help her in her field as a CNA. Ericka is now working at Fountains at the Manor Nursing Home in Secaucus, NJ while attending Hudson County College. 
Noel Dagetdoh
Noel comes to the YTTW PT Aide Program from James Ferris High School in Jersey City. He is an avid Volleyball player and plays the drums in a band. He excelled in the YTTW summer program and his August internship was held at ABLE PT in Jersey City, which hired him on a per diem basis in September. Noel is currently attending Hudson County College and plans to be a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Linda Davis
When Linda came to the Union to interview for the Program, she revealed that she had taken care of her dying grandfather, the memory of which caused her great pain. We knew there was something special about Linda, and accepted her into the program after she attended the three YTTW workshops. Linda did her August internship at Newark Beth Israel, and was subsequently hired as a PT Aide at Inglemoor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Livingston. Linda attended Career Academy in Jersey City.
Bassidi Sanogo
“Bash” attended East Side High School in Newark and was a model YTTW student this past summer. His enthusiasm and excitement for learning was infectious, and we were thrilled to place him at Inglemoor Rehabilitation and Care Center in August, where he excelled as a PT Aide. This past January Bash was offered a per diem job at Barnabas Health, where he is now employed, and is currently attending Essex County College.
Raphael Abella
After graduation from Union County Vo-Tech, Raphael joined the YTTW PT Aide Program and quickly displayed solid leadership qualities. He was placed at Clara Maass Hospital in Belleville during August, and was subsequently offered per diem employment there. Raphael is very intent on becoming a Physical Therapist and is currently attending Union County College.
Caitlin Kahl
Graduate: Union County Vocational Technical High School
Town of Residence: Kenilworth, New Jersey
Employed Since: January 2011
Current Employer: St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
Caitlin was accepted into the YTTW CNA program as a high school junior during the summer 2009. During a tour at Saint Barnabas Medical Center she mentioned she was born there and it has been her lifelong dream to work there as a Nurse. Caitlin returned to our YTTW CNA program as a High School graduate with hopes of completing her CNA certification. After successfully completing her CNA certification and a full semester of college courses; Caitlin has fulfilled her lifetime dream of working at Saint Barnabas Medical Center since January 2011.
Jessika Chavarria
Graduate: Union County Vocational Technical High School
Town of Residence: Kenilworth, New Jersey
Employed Since: January 2011
Current Employer: Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
Jessika was accepted into the YTTW CNA program as a high school junior during the summer 2009. She then returned to the YTTW CNA program as a High School graduate determined to succeed. Jessika has excelled in the YTTW CNA Apprenticeship Program; she completed her CNA certification, a full semester of college courses and was placed at one the most prestigious hopsitals in our area as a CNA.
Tami Guneysu
Graduate: Union County Vocational Technical High School
Town of Residence: Kenilworth, New Jersey
Employed Since: January 2011
Current Employer: Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
Tami applied for the YTTW CNA program, met the requirements and was accepted into the program spring 2010. Tami has progressed in the YTTW CNA Apprenticeship Program; she completed her CNA certification, a full semester of college courses and was placed at St. Barnabas Medical Center, along with two other YTTW CNA scholars at one the most prestigious hopsitals in our area as a CNA.
Briggite Jara
Graduate: Union County Vocational Technical High School
Town of Residence: Roselle, NJ
Employed Since: December 2010
Current Employer: Elmora Hills Rehabilitation Center, Elizabeth, NJ
Upon graduating from Union County Vocational Technical High School, young and bright Briggite heard about the opportunity to become an YTTW CNA Scholar and did not hesitate to come aboard. Briggite applied for the YTTW CNA Program and was accepted by the Project Director, Dr. Stephanie Harris- Kuiper Spring 2010. Briggite came to the YTTW CNA Apprenticeship Program with no prior work experience. After completing an intensive Summer Enrichment Program, Work Readiness Workshops, Certified Nurse Assistant Certification, one semester of college courses with Essex County College, she is now a successful Certified Nurse Assistant working part-time at her first job for Elmora Hills Rehabilitation Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey and is currently completing her spring 2011 semester with Essex County College. The Director of Nursing, as well as charge nurses has reported that, “Ms. Jara is an exceptional employee.”
Maria Barksdale
Graduate: Academy of Vocational Careers
Town of Residence: Newark, NJ
Employed Since: November 2010
Current Employer: Green Hill Retirement Home, West Orange, NJ
THE YTTW CNA program is very proud of Maria Barksdale. Maria expressed her gratitude about the Program by stating, “I am glad the apprenticeship program exists because it allows me free training into a career in the health care field.” Upon completing her CNA certification, Maria completed a full semester of college courses and towards the end of the semester Maria was excited to land a job with Greenhill Retirement Home; where she and another YTTW CNA scholar became the first CNA’s to be selected to work in the new addition added to Green Hill “Green Home.” The “Green Home” is a Robert Wood Johnson grant funded endeavor, whereby residents at various levels of care live in a home setting. Two CNA’s are responsible for resident care, meals and light housekeeping responsibilities.
Melissa Moreira
Graduate: East Side High School
Town of Residence: Newark, NJ
Employed Since: November 2010
Current Employer: Green Hill Retirement Home, West Orange, NJ
Melissa’s persistence and determination has made her one of the most successful students in the YTTW CNA program. After completing an intensive Summer Enrichment Program, Work Readiness Workshops, Certified Nurse Assistant Certification, one semester of college courses with Essex County College and is now a successful Certified Nurse Assistant working for Green Hill Retirement Community as one of the first CNAs along with another YTTW CNA scholar at Green Hill’s latest addition “Green Home”.
Octavia Wynn
Current Employer: St. Ann’s Home, Jersey City, NJ
Octavia’s journey into the profession of Nursing was a rough and rocky one. She had to overcome a fear of testing, and dramatically improve her academic skills in order to compete against many high qualified apprentices. However, Octavia not only completed an exhaustive certification to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, she was also the first in her class to pass all the State requirements, and the first to be hired by a nursing home. Octavia was unlike any other YTTW student in the past, achieving her success from a gritty determination. And while her academic grades may not have always been stellar, it was clear Octavia was going to be a nurse, and nothing was going to stand in her way.
Mervin Menier
Current Employer: Barnabas Health, Livingston NJ
Mervin Menier, a senior from Union City, NJ was faced with several difficult decisions when he heard about the YTTW Program from his high school guidance counselor. “It was like either find a career I could do or join a street gang. I felt like the gang part would be easy, and they were jus’ waiting to take me in.” Mervin is a hulking, linebacker size young man with a quiet but serious demeanor and he typifies many of the students who find their way to the YTTW apprenticeship. Mervin’s challenge was to ignore the peer pressure at school and on the streets so he could stay focused to complete his certification. Along the way, Mervin wrote an extensive research paper on the effects of concussions in the NFL, detailing specifics on how to treat brain injuries, and citing specific cases over the last five years. Medical research is actually where many YTTW students excel in the Program, and it helps lead them down a path of discovery, while also stoking their self-confidence. Mervin was successfully placed at Barnabas Health in Livingston, NJ and is realizing his dream of being a healthcare professional.