In order to become a Certified Medical Assistant you must first pass a college entrance exam. This exam may be a very difficult task for many students, and may at times become very expensive. Between the cost of private tutors and college entrance exam fees, many are often unable to afford their dream of joining the medical field. To help students navigate and make the entrance exam process more accessible, Association House of Chicago has started a 16-week pre-CMA course that focuses on improving students’ reading, writing and mathematical skills.  Two orientations will take place on Wednesday March 16, 2011 and Wednesday March 23, 2011 at 6 p.m. at the Association House of Chicago, 1116 North Kedzie Avenue 5^th Floor, Chicago, IL 60651.

The Pre-CMA program will help students increase their reading, writing and mathematical skills in order to place into college-level courses. This program will also include a social worker that will assist students with immediate needs throughout the entire CMA course. A job specialist will be assigned to help students find a part-time or full-time job during their studies.

In addition to this assistance, participants may be eligible for bus passes, child day care, and gas costs. Eligibility will be determined according to special circumstances.

This course is made possible with the support of generous grants from the Department of Family and Support Services of Mayor Daley’s Worknet Chicago, National Council La Raza, and Instituto del Progresso Latino. For more information, please contact Gerald Smith by phone at 773-772-7170 x 3516 or by email at gsmith@associationhouse.org.

 ABOUT ASSOCIATION HOUSE Association House of Chicago is a non-profit organization offering human-services programs that address both immediate and personal development needs. Based in Humboldt Park, Association House works with a multicultural, largely Latino and African-American, population of all ages both locally and city-wide. Association House offers immediate assistance and helps participants achieve independence through programs across five service areas: community services, from basic needs to job training; behavioral health; child welfare; community-based education, training and literacy; out-of-school programs; and El Cuarto Año, an alternative high school. These bilingual, evidence-based programs, conducted by seasoned staff in a caring, welcoming environment, provide a cohesive safety net for more than 20,000 Chicagoans each year. For more information on Association House’s services and programs please call (773) 772-7170 or visit www.associationhouse.org.