With Permission
Students preparing for advanced education and adult high school credit diplomas will get a helping hand, thanks to a $20,000 donation to the Branford based Eastshore Region Adult & Continuing Education Program (ERACE).
The funds will support ERACE’s Transition to a Post-Secondary Program, which provides students with skills to navigate the college system and the application process, learn college vocabulary, and understand financial aid. Students will also learn how to write a resume and cover letter. They will have hands-on experience in the interview process with a member from the Branford business community, and learn “soft skills” that make them desirable employees such as dependability, decision-making, ability to work well with others, and critical thinking.
Twenty-five students are enrolled in the program. ERACE serves the towns of Branford, Clinton, Guilford, Madison and North Branford.
State Reps. Lonnie Reed and Pat Widlitz were instrumental in obtaining the grant from AT&T by encouraging ERACE to apply.
“This … grant from AT&T will help make it possible for deserving students to earn valuable degrees and pursue rewarding careers,” said Reed.
“There is no better way to provide opportunity for advancement than to offer a quality education experience,”said Widlitz.
Students come to the Transitions program for a variety of reasons, according to Christine Bjork, ERACE’s Programs Facilitator/Transitions Coordinator. “Some leave the traditional high school because they need to work to help their families. Some need a different structure. Other students have had medical issues that made traditional school difficult.”
With eight instructors on board, the program has been in place for the past 10 years. “The program has evolved and changed based on student needs and changes to the post-secondary system,” said Bjork. Courses include college prep math, college prep writing, green science, Transition to Post-Secondary, financial literacy, career development, and job shadowing.
Paul Dzialo (left in the photo) is director of ERACE. “This donation will create opportunities to support high school completion courses for students to prepare them to enter post-secondary education,” he said.
Kelly Wade Bettuchi, Director External and Legislative Affairs, presented the donation on behalf of AT&T Connecticut.
In general, ERACE provides a variety of courses for adult learners seeking academic and personal growth twice a year during the regular school year.
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