GE donates to Southern State's Your Place program

Turman Helton, representing General Electric's Community Service Fund from the Peebles Test Site, presented a donation to Southern State Community College's Your Place program during a recent visit to the college's South Campus in Fincastle.

"We appreciate the support given by General Electric's employees so that our program can better serve the participants," said Sue Evans, director of the Your Place program. "We have many meaningful ways to support and encourage participants at various stages of growth, from the classroom to the Resource Lab."

SSCC's Your Place program, which has been serving the community since 1983, assists individuals in transition in achieving their goals of education and employment. Your Place program classes emphasize self esteem, goal setting, decision making, communication skills, conflict resolution, time/stress management, budgeting, parenting skills and more. Students also are instructed on conducting a career search and learning basic computer skills, such as word processing and utilizing the Internet.

Facilitators of the program regularly recognize those who are awarded scholarships, complete the program, and/or obtain gainful employment. Thanks to funding from General Electric, support services are available for those who meet eligibility guidelines.

"Recognition is important in the Your Place program," said Rhonda Fannin, Your Place instructor. "We know how much hard work and determination it takes to make permanent changes. Everyone who reaches a milestone deserves recognition. Your Place is just the place to give you the support and encouragement as you make those changes. Class members inspire one another by showing that it can be done."

Upon successful completion of the program, participants earn six college credit hours, which can be used as electives toward the completion of a degree. College retention allowances are available based on availability of funds and student eligibility. For more information, please visit www.sscc.edu/regional_center/your_place.htm, or call Pat Caraway at 1-800-628-7722, ext. 3533.