Sahara, who works with Families Forward in South Portland has been moving up the healthcare career ladder over the last few years. She had worked as a medical assistant and graduated from Central Maine Community College’s (CMCC) nursing program in May. While at CMCC, Sahara was enrolled in the Parents as Scholars (PaS) program which allowed her the time she needed for her studies and caring for her child who has disabilities. This month she passed her licensing exam. Her next step is to apply to the bachelor’s degree in nursing program at Southern Maine University and obtain a nursing position at Maine Medical Center.