Press Release

November 08, 2004

CONTACT:

Suzanne Ames, Director of Communications
425.352.8256
sames@cascadia.edu

CASCADIA RECEIVES GRANT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE

BOTHELL — The Cascadia Community College Foundation received a $9,000 grant for its public housing workforce transition program from the Verizon Foundation.

“This grant is important for the college and the people we serve,” Amy Persell, Workforce Education Program Manager said. “The money will assist us in outreach efforts as we link people who live in public housing with the training necessary for future employment.”

Katrina Hall, who works for Cascadia as the Housing Grant Coordinator, spends her days reaching out to low-income populations in East King County. This money will allow her to be more effective in lending a hand to people. In addition, it will also provide needed support services such as tuition, books, tools for training programs or uniforms required for employment. In the past year alone, public housing residents in targeted communities successfully completed a total of 86 quarters of school at six different colleges, and 20 residents found employment with an average wage of $11.20 per hour. The grant from Verizon will assist in maintaining this important program so that residents will continue to reach their goals.

“I continually meet people who want to lift themselves out of poverty but they don’t know where to start,” Hall said. “The Verizon grant will help us help these people.”

Cascadia Community College offers information technology training, adult basic skills such as English as a second language and GED courses.

#