Partnership between SUNY Erie Community College and faith-based organizations provides pathway to success
Getting an education can be convenient and affordable thanks to a historic partnership between Erie Community College and faith-based organizations in the City of Buffalo.
According to this unique and innovative agreement, ECC provides educational services and courses in the community at the following organizations:
• Akron First United Methodist Church, 7 Church St., Akron
• Bethesda World Harvest International Church, 1365 Main St., Buffalo
• Elim Christian Fellowship, 20-25 Central Park Plaza, Buffalo
• Ephesus Ministries, 21 Davidson St., Buffalo.
• Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 701 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo
• New Bethel Community Church, 175 Englewood Ave., Buffalo
• New Hope Baptist Church, 543 Richmond Ave., Buffalo
• New Mt. Ararat Temple of Prayer, 971-983 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo
• Highways and Hedges C.O.G.I.C, 298 Northhampton St., Buffalo
• Pentecostal Temple, 618 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo
• Prince of Peace Church of Christians, 190 Albany St., Buffalo
• Second Baptist Church, 18 Church St., Lackawanna
• Second Chance Ministries, 381 E. Ferry St., Buffalo
• St. John Baptist Church, 184 Goodell St., Buffalo
• True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St., Buffalo
• Zion Dominion, 895 North Forest, Williamsville
ECC staff is located on-site to help participants with admissions applications, financial aid, placement testing, EOP enrollment, and career-focused degree selection as well as orientation activities. ECC also provides community-based non-credit learning community support for enrolled students under this partnership
In addition, prospective students can take advantage of on-site enrollment in the College’s Education to Recovery program. The Education to Recovery program gives individuals disabled by substance abuse and/or mental health problems with educational case management while participating in treatment, providing a pathway into an education and ultimately, a better quality of life.
This educational partnership strives to provide hope and empowerment to parishioners in the Western New York community in need of educational and vocational skills by using the unique opportunities available through sharing resources and common goals.
Group Ministries, Inc. is responsible for the intake of students. Group Ministries’ staff assesses the prospective students’ interests and needs and assigns them to an appropriate location.
Richard Washousky, associate vice president for academic affairs at ECC, worked with Kenneth Smith of Group Ministries, Inc. to start the program in spring 2005. Since that time, their efforts have helped increase the number of participating churches from eight to 12.
Fifty-two students enrolled in six courses in spring 2005 and 31 students enrolled in the three courses offered for fall 2005. Fifty-eight students enrolled in six courses in the Spring 2006 semester. The College will be offering 14 courses at 10 churches this fall.
This program is unique because historically, churches, ministries and public community colleges have not joined forces for the betterment of the community, Washousky said.
“Now, education and faith are coming together and working together to take back and rebuild our communities,” Washousky said.
We want to help those who believe that it is irrelevant to go to school, that you have to be smart or rich,” Smith said. “I can’t think of anything that makes more of an impact on the foundation of our community than offering courses at churches. I can’t think of any better way to get an education and move towards a job.”
This initiative will also reinforce the idea that an education will provide opportunities to compete in a global economy.
“Many people think that first you restore the economy, which then restores people. It’s the other way around, we are restoring people so they can then go out and restore the economy,” Washousky noted. “We are working to create change.”
Rosetta Menisee of Buffalo is just one of the students who have been taking classes at Elim Christian Fellowship. Her classes have included Introduction to Sociology and English.
Menisee, who works at the Erie County Health Department, said that she wanted to go back to school, but, like many, had a hectic schedule.
“We are all busy with work, are tired, have bills, mortgages - but it can be one night a week,” she said. “I can take all of my classes at one time and I don’t have to worry so much about traveling or the weather or finding parking.
By taking classes at a location close to home, it was so easy and convenient, Menisee said.
Though Menisee, in her 40s, “hasn’t been in school for almost 30 years,” she adjusted quickly.
“I enjoy my classes very much,” Menisee said. “The atmosphere is so conducive to learning. The classes are small; a lot of the students are a little older and take a more serious attitude toward their education. We can bounce ideas off one another and get feedback. Just the camaraderie, the willingness to help one another out, is great.”
Menisee said her professors have been wonderful, engaging the students in discussion and providing them with opportunities to attend events outside of the classroom, including poetry readings and plays.
“ECC collaborating with churches is a good idea. People, especially those that are a little older, need to know that this is so user friendly. There are these resources available,” Menisee said.
Deadra Smith of Buffalo took two courses in the spring, Introduction to Computers and Human Interaction.
“Before I took Intro to Computers, I was completely computer illiterate,” Deadra said. “I would find ways to get around having to use the computer, having others type things for me. But I found that everything kept on leading to having to use a computer. I had a new computer on my desk at work for months and I never even turned it on.”
“I lead a busy life; I work full-time, am active in my church, have children and grandchildren, but when I found out that courses were being offered at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, I thought, how easy could this be?” she said.
“I found that it was a comfortable, totally non-threatening atmosphere. There were other people like me, who were in their 40s, with children, who hadn’t been in school for a long time,” Deadra explained. “It was very, very nice, to be surrounded by my peers.”
Now, Deadra said, not only can she type; she can use a variety of programs, including Power Point and Excel.
“I’m unstoppable,” she said. “I am so excited about my new found computer skills and very proud of myself.”
Deadra, who is the house manager at Lakeshore Behavioral Services, a treatment facility for women, wants to pursue a career in human services and plans to enroll in additional classes this spring.
“The whole idea of being able to come to church, be in a comfortable atmosphere of learning, where people are serious and really want to be there, is great,” Deadra said. “I look forward to continuing to take classes.”
For more information regarding this program, contact Martie Dixon at 851-1939.
Fall 2006 College to Church Course Schedule
EN110-57 English Composition - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Zion Dominion
EN111-57 Comp and Interpretation of Literature - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Zion Dominion
GO101-57 American Government I - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Second Chance Ministries
HI102-57 American History II - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday Akron First United Methodist Church
HI105-57 Afro-American History - 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, St. John Baptist Church
HU100-57 Human Interaction - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Mt. Olive Baptist Church
HU100-572 Human Interaction - 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, Second Baptist Church
PS100-571 General Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Elim Christian Fellowship
PS100-572 General Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, New Hope Baptist Church
PS201-571 Developmental Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Ephesus Ministries
PS201-572 Developmental Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Zion Dominion
PS203-57 Social Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bethesda WHIC
SO202-57 Sociology of the Family - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, St. John Baptist Church
SS205-57 Aging, Dying and Death - 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, New Hope Baptist Church
SUNY Erie Community College is a comprehensive provider of quality, flexible, affordable and accessible academic training programs, along with related services, that meet the needs of a diverse student body and promote regional economic growth.
According to this unique and innovative agreement, ECC provides educational services and courses in the community at the following organizations:
• Akron First United Methodist Church, 7 Church St., Akron
• Bethesda World Harvest International Church, 1365 Main St., Buffalo
• Elim Christian Fellowship, 20-25 Central Park Plaza, Buffalo
• Ephesus Ministries, 21 Davidson St., Buffalo.
• Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 701 E. Delavan Ave., Buffalo
• New Bethel Community Church, 175 Englewood Ave., Buffalo
• New Hope Baptist Church, 543 Richmond Ave., Buffalo
• New Mt. Ararat Temple of Prayer, 971-983 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo
• Highways and Hedges C.O.G.I.C, 298 Northhampton St., Buffalo
• Pentecostal Temple, 618 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo
• Prince of Peace Church of Christians, 190 Albany St., Buffalo
• Second Baptist Church, 18 Church St., Lackawanna
• Second Chance Ministries, 381 E. Ferry St., Buffalo
• St. John Baptist Church, 184 Goodell St., Buffalo
• True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St., Buffalo
• Zion Dominion, 895 North Forest, Williamsville
ECC staff is located on-site to help participants with admissions applications, financial aid, placement testing, EOP enrollment, and career-focused degree selection as well as orientation activities. ECC also provides community-based non-credit learning community support for enrolled students under this partnership
In addition, prospective students can take advantage of on-site enrollment in the College’s Education to Recovery program. The Education to Recovery program gives individuals disabled by substance abuse and/or mental health problems with educational case management while participating in treatment, providing a pathway into an education and ultimately, a better quality of life.
This educational partnership strives to provide hope and empowerment to parishioners in the Western New York community in need of educational and vocational skills by using the unique opportunities available through sharing resources and common goals.
Group Ministries, Inc. is responsible for the intake of students. Group Ministries’ staff assesses the prospective students’ interests and needs and assigns them to an appropriate location.
Richard Washousky, associate vice president for academic affairs at ECC, worked with Kenneth Smith of Group Ministries, Inc. to start the program in spring 2005. Since that time, their efforts have helped increase the number of participating churches from eight to 12.
Fifty-two students enrolled in six courses in spring 2005 and 31 students enrolled in the three courses offered for fall 2005. Fifty-eight students enrolled in six courses in the Spring 2006 semester. The College will be offering 14 courses at 10 churches this fall.
This program is unique because historically, churches, ministries and public community colleges have not joined forces for the betterment of the community, Washousky said.
“Now, education and faith are coming together and working together to take back and rebuild our communities,” Washousky said.
We want to help those who believe that it is irrelevant to go to school, that you have to be smart or rich,” Smith said. “I can’t think of anything that makes more of an impact on the foundation of our community than offering courses at churches. I can’t think of any better way to get an education and move towards a job.”
This initiative will also reinforce the idea that an education will provide opportunities to compete in a global economy.
“Many people think that first you restore the economy, which then restores people. It’s the other way around, we are restoring people so they can then go out and restore the economy,” Washousky noted. “We are working to create change.”
Rosetta Menisee of Buffalo is just one of the students who have been taking classes at Elim Christian Fellowship. Her classes have included Introduction to Sociology and English.
Menisee, who works at the Erie County Health Department, said that she wanted to go back to school, but, like many, had a hectic schedule.
“We are all busy with work, are tired, have bills, mortgages - but it can be one night a week,” she said. “I can take all of my classes at one time and I don’t have to worry so much about traveling or the weather or finding parking.
By taking classes at a location close to home, it was so easy and convenient, Menisee said.
Though Menisee, in her 40s, “hasn’t been in school for almost 30 years,” she adjusted quickly.
“I enjoy my classes very much,” Menisee said. “The atmosphere is so conducive to learning. The classes are small; a lot of the students are a little older and take a more serious attitude toward their education. We can bounce ideas off one another and get feedback. Just the camaraderie, the willingness to help one another out, is great.”
Menisee said her professors have been wonderful, engaging the students in discussion and providing them with opportunities to attend events outside of the classroom, including poetry readings and plays.
“ECC collaborating with churches is a good idea. People, especially those that are a little older, need to know that this is so user friendly. There are these resources available,” Menisee said.
Deadra Smith of Buffalo took two courses in the spring, Introduction to Computers and Human Interaction.
“Before I took Intro to Computers, I was completely computer illiterate,” Deadra said. “I would find ways to get around having to use the computer, having others type things for me. But I found that everything kept on leading to having to use a computer. I had a new computer on my desk at work for months and I never even turned it on.”
“I lead a busy life; I work full-time, am active in my church, have children and grandchildren, but when I found out that courses were being offered at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, I thought, how easy could this be?” she said.
“I found that it was a comfortable, totally non-threatening atmosphere. There were other people like me, who were in their 40s, with children, who hadn’t been in school for a long time,” Deadra explained. “It was very, very nice, to be surrounded by my peers.”
Now, Deadra said, not only can she type; she can use a variety of programs, including Power Point and Excel.
“I’m unstoppable,” she said. “I am so excited about my new found computer skills and very proud of myself.”
Deadra, who is the house manager at Lakeshore Behavioral Services, a treatment facility for women, wants to pursue a career in human services and plans to enroll in additional classes this spring.
“The whole idea of being able to come to church, be in a comfortable atmosphere of learning, where people are serious and really want to be there, is great,” Deadra said. “I look forward to continuing to take classes.”
For more information regarding this program, contact Martie Dixon at 851-1939.
Fall 2006 College to Church Course Schedule
EN110-57 English Composition - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Zion Dominion
EN111-57 Comp and Interpretation of Literature - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Zion Dominion
GO101-57 American Government I - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Second Chance Ministries
HI102-57 American History II - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday Akron First United Methodist Church
HI105-57 Afro-American History - 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, St. John Baptist Church
HU100-57 Human Interaction - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Mt. Olive Baptist Church
HU100-572 Human Interaction - 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, Second Baptist Church
PS100-571 General Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Elim Christian Fellowship
PS100-572 General Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, New Hope Baptist Church
PS201-571 Developmental Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Ephesus Ministries
PS201-572 Developmental Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Zion Dominion
PS203-57 Social Psychology - 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bethesda WHIC
SO202-57 Sociology of the Family - 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, St. John Baptist Church
SS205-57 Aging, Dying and Death - 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, New Hope Baptist Church
SUNY Erie Community College is a comprehensive provider of quality, flexible, affordable and accessible academic training programs, along with related services, that meet the needs of a diverse student body and promote regional economic growth.
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© Copyright 2006 Erie Community College. All rights reserved. • Web site Powered by ActiveCampus™ software
© Copyright 2006 Erie Community College. All rights reserved. • Web site Powered by ActiveCampus™ software
