Delnita Brown (pictured right, with her sister La’Era Boyd) hadn’t been in school for 20 years when she enrolled at Riverside City College.
“I felt like I was a dinosaur,” says Brown, a caregiver. But “I’m super-duper excited to actually be back in school.”
Brown is among those benefiting from a partnership between the United Domestic Workers (UDW), a union representing more than 171,000 caregivers, and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to provide free or low-cost education to its UDW members. Four colleges in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are participating.
The partnership, aimed at enhancing career opportunities in healthcare, childcare, and other fields, offers tuition assistance, laptop and textbook loans, transportation assistance, and specialized, flexible learning pathways across various campuses, including Riverside City College, Moreno Valley College, Mt. San Jacinto College, and Norco College.
The program has created learning pathways in health care, childcare, business, English as a Second Language, basic student preparation, and more. But members can enroll in any courses they like.
Since announcing the partnership in early 2024, the program has helped nearly 1,000 UDW members and their families enroll in free or low-cost classes statewide, with the goal of enrolling 5,000 by October 2026.
The UDW represents California home care and childcare providers who provide affordable childcare and services allowing more than half a million seniors and people with disabilities to remain in their homes with dignity and independence. With an aging population needing care and affordable childcare in short supply, these workers have never been more crucial.
Brown, a UDW member, became a caregiver 20 years ago after working as a human resources director in a drug/alcohol recovery program. She cares for her younger sister, who has a neurological condition requiring medical support and help with everyday tasks. She has also cared for clients outside her family.
Brown and her sister both enrolled in a cooking class last year.
“She [my sister] likes to cook, so she took a pastry class, and I joined her in that class,” says Brown. “Oh gosh, we baked a lot of pastries, a lot of breads, and things like that.”
But the impact of the class went beyond just cooking skills. They made new friends and it provided a lift for Delnita’s sister.
“I’m excited to see her thrive. I trust her more in the kitchen, so it’s made her more independent. She’s cooking up a storm now, and I’m so happy to see her in her element. It’s made her more confident.”
Brown, who is very active in UDW, serving on several union councils and boards,
will soon take business classes at RCC with the aim of starting her own business to help other caregivers.
“I want to help caregivers so they don’t have to suffer,” she says, referring to the constant paperwork, red tape, legal, and other challenges caregivers face in getting the support and resources they need, financial and otherwise, to help others. “I literally fought with the county. I didn’t understand what I was up against, but I realized I was a fighter and eventually won,” she says.
Now she wants to help others navigate through that process.
“I’m going back to school for business management because I’m starting a business on a budget,” she says. “I plan to eventually have a little storefront office where clients can come in and get my help.”
Delnita reflects on her experience with the educational partnership. “It’s been great because I’m finally doing something for me.”