DBC Women's Center receives Scholarship funds for the Fresh Start Displaced Homemakers Program - financially assisted by the Charlotte R. Schmiddlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (June 18, 2008) - The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund- Fifth Third Bank Trustee awards $10,000 to the Daytona State College Women's Center to administer a scholarship fund for the Fresh Start Displaced Homemakers Program for July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
According to theDaytona StateFaces of the Future Survey, 47.3% of the students enrolled at the College have an annual income from work of less than $10,000 and 73.7% rely on financial aid which includes scholarships, grants and loans. The Fresh Start participants face an even greater challenge as they transition from being homemakers to becoming students who are working toward an academic program and eventually becoming employed in the labor market. "The Fifth Third Bank Trustee funds will prove to be very beneficial in alleviating barriers as these students transition to self-sufficiency," said Isalene Montgomery, dean of alternative services. "These barriers range from financial assistance with tuition, books, lab fees, educational supplies, uniforms, transportation and childcare. It is our hope that the availability of these funds will increase the programs overall percentage of students completing and transitioning into short-term career and technical training programs."
The Fresh Start Program is an 80-hour class designed to teach participants how to build self-esteem, manage stress, establish goals, explore career opportunities, while offering practical tools that can be immediately applied to improve situations as they pursue their educational, professional and personal goals. Classes are "free" and are held concurrently on three of the College's campuses: Daytona Beach, Deltona and Flagler/Palm Coast.
We look forward to networking in the community and collaborating with partners throughout the communities of Volusia and Flagler counties as we continue to provide the needed services to the community.
For more information about theDaytona StateWomen's Center Fresh Start Displaced Homemakers Program call (386) 506-4377.
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**image available upon request**
Photo caption: Isalene Montgomery, dean of alternative services at Daytona State College receives $10,000 donation from Joyce Odongo, assistant vice president of Community Affairs of Fifth Third Bank. (L-R: Isalene Montgomery, Gerald Frisby, associate vice president, Workforce Development at DBC, Joyce Odongo, and Joan Bockmiller, coordinator forDaytona StateWomen's Center Fresh Start program.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Glyn Johnston, Public Information Officer - Marketing & Communications, (386) 506-4499, johnstg@dbc.edu
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