The transformation of the former Legends Cafe restaurant into a new healthcare education center in downtown Lebanon is now complete.
About 3,000 square feet once occupied by the restaurant has been renovated into the Allied Healthcare Training Suite as part of the WEPA Workforce Empowerment Center. The suite was christened during grand opening ceremonies on Wednesday.
“It’s undergone a transformation that will mark a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to workforce training and education for the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Rafael Torres, co-founder of WEPA Empowerment Center. “But this isn’t just about new walls and classrooms. It’s about empowering students, empowering our community to meet the ever-growing healthcare needs. It’s about providing them with skills, the knowledge, and hands-on experience that they need to be successful in any landscape, not just the healthcare landscape.”
There are other goals for the new suite, said Torres, who addressed assembled guests, the healthcare students and representatives of over 25 businesses, along with job seekers attending one of two job fairs sponsored by WEPA throughout the year.
“The Allied Health Training Suite will be a place of innovation, collaboration, and growth that will help and support our students and our community as we strive to make a lasting impact on everyone who visits with us,” Torres added.
Torres recognized the inaugural class of healthcare students who were taking a break from their studies and labs to attend the job fair as well as the grand opening ceremonies.
“We also want to give a special shout out to our current healthcare students who are right now going through classes,” said Torres. “You are the heart of this initiative and your dedication by being here every day and going through the growing pains inspires us each and every single day. Together, we are building a stronger workforce and a healthier future for all.”
Eve Perez and Brian Raub are two of the 10 medical assistant students recognized by Torres during his remarks. They are members of the first class that launched in September and will graduate in April.
“Well, I’ve always wanted to be in healthcare. I first wanted to do phlebotomy,” said Perez, of Lebanon. “But this, I do like, so I feel like it’ll be a good career. We’ll be more well-rounded to help more people.”
Raub had previously called nursing a noble profession during an interview about the sudden closure of the adult nursing program at Lebanon County Career and Technology Center. He expressed the same sentiment during interviews arranged by WEPA officials.
Read More: Would-be student, graduate discuss end of local adult nursing education program
“I had primarily been from the wood trades and produce (industries), and I’ve been wanting to be in health care for a long time,” said Raub, also of Lebanon. “Health care is the noblest of trades. Endeavoring to, you know, what people do with their life, that’s their possibility. But helping them, you know, to maintain that so that they can, that’s been fantastic to me.”
The health suite has about 3,000 square feet and contains three classrooms, a common area, and two small offices. It is located to the rear of the first floor of the WEPA building at 9 S. 9th St., Lebanon, according to Kay Litman, WEPA’s executive director.
Litman said construction for the suite began in May and was concluded in about four months for the first healthcare class that launched in September. Litman noted during the grand opening that there are three programs running, with more to come in the new year.
Read More: Tec Centro ‘breaks ground’ for new adult healthcare education classrooms
“Our medical assisting students, students in phlebotomy, and students who are training in the health care office, for the front end office,” said Litman. “And employers, those health care office graduates will be graduating in December. So they are actively looking for employment. So, I hope they meet with each and every one of you today. We also have a nurse aid training program that is scheduled in January, and currently enrolling students in that (program) .”
A number of dignitaries provided congratulatory comments and brief remarks. Two of those individuals were Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello and Lebanon County Commissioner Mike Kuhn, who represented his colleagues since the recount of the U.S. Senate race was still happening at the county municipal building Wednesday morning.
Read More: Lebanon County officials conduct U.S. Senate election recount, mandated audit
“So everyone knows the city’s tagline, ‘Lebanon is the place to grow,’” said Capello. “Grow your education, grow your family, grow your community. And what better example of all of those things at the center? So I just want to give a shout out to everyone who has worked so hard to make this a possibility. We are very excited that this is located in downtown Lebanon city. And, wow, the future looks great for so many people, and just like Rafael said, you know this is all about the students and enriching your lives and empowering you to become better for everyone.”
Torres said seed funding for this endeavor was made possible by Lebanon County Commissioners, who provided an American Rescue Fund Grant totaling $750,000 to WEPA for classroom construction.
As previously reported by LebTown, WEPA was the first organization to receive funding under the ARPA program, which was created to assist communities in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Look at all the people in here and the organizations represented. Lebanon County is thriving and doing well,” said Kuhn. “Thank you for doing your part on behalf of the county. … This is vital to our community and we can have local people trained right here and stay right here with great jobs.”
Harrisburg Area Community College provides instructors for the healthcare programs.
“HACC is a proud supporter of Lebanon County, always has been, and we are still here in Lebanon,” said Susan Biggs, “But we are even prouder to be supporting WEPA … to provide the training programs that Kay just mentioned. And we plan on expanding them as the need presents. So we are, and myself personally, couldn’t be happier, prouder, and more excited to see the exuberance displayed here today and to help be part of supporting and growing this community.”
Torres told LebTown after the ceremony that the next project will be construction of an elevator at the center, which is housed in the former Elks Building. After the lift is completed, WEPA officials will turn their attention to renovating the basement to provide even more classroom space.
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