NEWPORT, Ky. — In northern Kentucky, the Brighton Center is preparing for its annual Wine Over Water fundraiser, set to occur Saturday, Sept. 14 on the Purple People Bridge. The event’s goal is to support the center’s diverse programs by raising essential funds.

What You Need To Know

  • The Brighton Center is hosting it's annual,'Wine Over Water Fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 14

  • This fundraiser aims to provide funding for many of their programs

  • The Brighton Center has an employment training program and offers an accredited post-secondary training in various fields

The Brighton Center offers training opportunities through its Center for Employment Training (CET).

Angel Blocker, a 23-year-old medical assistant trainee, says she finds joy not only in learning but helping her peers.

“My instructor will have me help them out with new things around in the classroom and getting just a hang of how things work in here. I enjoy doing that,” Blocker said.

The Brighton Center works closely with the Kentucky Career Center and Brighton’s CET stands out for its accredited post-secondary training in fields such as medical assistants, health technology, human resources and payroll specialist careers. What differentiates this program are grants that keep it debt-free and minimize out-of-pocket costs for students.

“I used to go to college, and I owe student loans that I can’t currently afford to pay. And it gives me an opportunity to grow in a way that I wasn’t going to be able to grow,” Blocker explained.

A recent Scholarship Owl Poll, surveying approximately 9,000 students, revealed that 90% of college-bound Gen Z students are unsure how they will fully finance their education. Lauren Allhands, workforce development director at the Center, emphasized the importance of fundraisers like Wine Over Water in making these educational programs accessible.

“And that they, of course, then are able to attend this program and complete this program without incurring, you know, any cost in the moment,” Allhands said.

The Fundraiser runs from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

As Blocker progresses toward becoming a medical assistant, she reflects proudly on her achievements and the resources that have supported her journey.

“I deserve to be here and have the good things. And that starts with me. And I have to use the resources around me to get that,” Blocker noted.

The Center for Employment Training continues to prepare future medical professionals to serve the community effectively.

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