Area Nonprofit Donates Shoes To Team Members At UM BWMC

Unity Bands, an Annapolis-based, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting health care workers, donated comfortable, clinically appropriate shoes on October 28 to team members enrolled in a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC).

This class, made possible through a grant by the Maryland Department of Labor, provides entry-level team members working in various departments throughout the hospital with the necessary training to obtain their clinical nursing assistant certification, enable their promotion to patient care tech positions, and put them on a path toward nursing and more advanced clinical positions.

Running in partnership with Anne Arundel Community College, the program offers a fall and spring cohort, each with 12-15 students. The program consists of in-person classes, labs, and hands-on experience in a real clinical setting. As part of the program, all students must obtain a uniform to wear in clinical settings for their safety, and to minimize the spread of infection. The uniform includes matching scrubs and clinically appropriate footwear that is closed-toed and water resistant. Unity Bands, through its new program Air Unity, collaborated with UM BWMC to donate appropriate shoes and show support for the health care workers during their CNA training.

This is one of several health care initiatives that Unity Bands supports in the community. The organization proudly supports health care workers, particularly those in entry-level positions or in need, and provides credible public health information to at-risk communities to encourage informed health care decision-making. The organization hosts a monthly speaker series with health care professionals featuring topics such as self-care literacy.

“At Unity Bands, our goal is to support the community at large, especially health care workers with families who may need additional resources,” said John Schirrippa, Unity Bands president and founder. “We’re here to remove barriers and common concerns such as how to pay bills so they can focus on other important things.”

Since its inception, Unity Bands donated over $16,000 in comfort care items and medical equipment to hospitals. They also support programs such as Feeding the Frontlines and health care worker resiliency efforts. Unity Bands is based out of Annapolis and supports communities in Maryland and New York.

“We are thrilled with the support we receive, including enthusiastic donors and volunteers spanning eight states,” Schirrippa said adding, "I'm looking forward to where we head next."