Programs Help Women To Pursue Their Dreams

A long with a new year are possibilities for new directions in our lives. For some, a fresh calendar brings anticipation of good things to come, while others may view the looming months ahead with a sense of dread if they feel stuck in their current situations.

Now is the time to act.

Life Skills/Women’s Programs, offered through the Community Colleges of Spokane, give women a chance to pursue their dreams and goals. Women seeking new careers or facing life changes can receive counseling and pre-employment training at no cost through a variety of classes.

For women 18 and older, the classes teach academic and life skills in a supportive environment and have helped hundreds of women become self-sufficient and achieve their goals.

“Some women say, `It’s been one more year, and I haven’t done a thing with my life,”’ said Mary Wilkinson-Orvik, program coordinator. “I guarantee women (in the classes) that from the first day to the last, they’ll walk out a foot taller than when they came in.

“Many will say for the first time, `I am someone.’ They can set their goals and reach for them.”

Enrolling in a life-skills course takes courage. Women considering such a step often face personal barriers such as transportation and child-care dilemmas and fears of being ridiculed or dropping out.

“Mainly, there’s a fear of failure,” said Wilkinson-Orvik. “If you come here, you will not fail. The program is the gift.”

The free classes meet weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Institute for Extended Learning, 3305 W. Fort George Wright Drive, across from Spokane Falls Community College.

Here are a few of the classes available:

“Project Self-Sufficiency,” Monday through March 26, offers low-income and single mothers the chance to build self-confidence, learn parenting skills and make the transition from low-wage employment or public assistance to productive employment. The program emphasizes life skills, academics and computer training and provides individual and group counseling. To enroll, call 533-3753.

“Women in Nontraditional Settings” is a 10-week course, Jan. 11-March 19, for women educationally or economically disadvantaged who want to enter trade or technical fields. The series includes an introduction to computers and investigation of employment opportunities. To register, call 533-3131.

“Change Point!” offers support to displaced homemakers who find themselves in transition because of divorce or death. The course, Feb. 8-March 18, focuses on interpersonal relationships, building self-confidence and becoming job ready. To enroll, call 533-3755.

Volunteer opportunities

Make a difference in the life of a child by volunteering as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) to speak on behalf of children brought to the attention of Juvenile Court because of suspected neglect, abuse or abandonment.

During an 18-month term, CASA volunteers meet with the affected child, parents, caseworker and attorney to gain an understanding of the situation and submit a recommendation to the court that’s in the child’s best interest.

The next four-week training session begins Jan. 12 at Spokane County Juvenile Court. For an application and screening interview, call Susan Cairy, 477-2469.

Volunteers are needed Feb. 4 through March 5 to sell flower bouquets as part of the “Daffodil Days” spring fund-raiser of the American Cancer Society. Proceeds support local cancer research, education, advocacy and patient care. For information, call 326-5802.

YMCA’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is recruiting people for its Reading Corps program to help children and adults with reading difficulties.

Reading corps volunteers partner with schools, libraries and Even Start to provide one-on-one tutoring and reading activities. For information, call 838-3577, ext. 157.

Fifty-Five Alive course

American Association of Retired Persons presents “Fifty-Five Alive,” a two-day driving course from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 14 and 15 at the Post Falls Senior Center, 1205 E. Third.

Participants will review changes in driving laws, discuss how to handle emergency situations and take a driving alertness test. Upon completion of the course, certificates entitle participants to insurance discounts. Cost is $8. To register, call (208) 773-9582.

Kudos

Thanks to the generosity of Cookies By Design, 5503 N. Wall, terminally ill children in area hospitals will be cheered each month with cookie bouquets.

Cookies By Design, specializing in cookie gift arrangements, will donate the edible bouquets to children identified by The Wishing Star Foundation. During the holidays, the company provided cookie centerpieces and gift bouquets to recipients of the foundation’s adopt-a-family program, which provides gifts and food to those facing costly medical bills.

“We’re pleased if we can bring just one child a little cheer and a smile through our contribution,” said John Cummings, owner of Cookies By Design.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Y2K DISCUSSION PLANNED “Y2K: Peace or Panic?” will be the topic at the Spokane College Women’s Association’s noon luncheon Wednesday at the Shilo Inn, 923 E. Third. Jeff Brune of Washington Water Power will discuss the year 2000 problem, sometimes known as Y2K, that could cause computers to go haywire because they are programmed to read only the last two digits of the year. Once a computer’s internal calendar goes to “00,” it could react as if the date were 1900. The luncheon is open to the public; cost is $10.75. Reservations must be made today by calling 924-7806.