New Community Collaboration To Enhance Latino Workforce Development

 

New Community Collaboration To Enhance Latino Workforce Development

Date of Record: May 5, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2006

For more information, contact:
Pete Giordano, Director, Community and Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349.3559
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3569

Bloomington, IN -- In keeping with his City Vision 2006 pledge to announce six Community Collaborations in 60 days, Mayor Mark Kruzan today announced the second in that series -- a united effort to assist members of the Latino community in receiving General Education Development (GED) degrees.

A collaboration among the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) Adult Education Program and United Way's Workforce Preparation Network will increase participation in the MCCSC GED degree program among the local Latino community.

"This collaborative effort will afford Latinos the tools necessary for advancement in the local workforce," Kruzan said. "The program will meet the rising demand for a GED and in the long run, will provide education and employment opportunities."

The Latino GED Outreach program is funded through the United Way Workforce Preparation Network, which is a project created for the 4Community Impact Program made possible by a Lilly Endowment grant. The City of Bloomington contributed $6,600 in funds, which was matched by United Way for a total of $13,200 allocated to the Latino GED program.

The program will provide Spanish language GED-preparation classes. These classes will include Spanish language materials and the administration of the GED pre-test and GED test. Program registration is ongoing.

The goals of the GED program include:

• Increasing the number of Latino students who receive a GED.
• Providing Latino students with the option of attending a post-secondary institution.
• Improving Latino employment opportunities.

"In the past few years, we have seen a growing number of Latino students come to our program to study for their GEDs," said Sherry Dick, Director of MCCSC Adult Education Program. "Their hard work, determination and indomitable spirit have helped them succeed, along with the devoted work of our teachers, in spite of some pretty significant challenges. This grant will provide the extra support they need to take that first step in coming to class through the services the City will provide, right up to the last step in getting assistance to pay for the GED exam fee. The future just got brighter for our newest neighbors and our community!"

The cost of materials for each class participant, the GED pre-test, final test and some ancillary costs to support program attendance will be provided by the City of Bloomington. Funding for the Latino GED project is made possible through the support of the City, Workforce Preparation and MCCSC Adult Education Program.

"United Way and the Workforce Preparation Network are proud to partner with the City of Bloomington and the MCCSC Adult Education Program to ensure that opportunities for advancement are available to all members of the Latino community," said Barry Lessow, Executive Director of United Way of Monroe County. "One of United Way's goals is that everyone in our community has the skills and supports to enter and stay in the workforce. Through this collaboration with the City and MCCSC, we hope that the participants will have improved employment options and increased opportunities for post-secondary education."

For more information about the Spanish language GED classes or to register, contact Teresa Velez at 349-3465 or [velezm@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:velezm@bloomington.in.gov].   # # #