City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker (D-9) and state Rep.
Tonyelle Cook-Artis (D-200) partnered with Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church to
host a college and labor fair in their Family Life Center.
The fair included over 60 colleges, universities,
vocational programs and labor unions, and financial aid workshops conducted by
the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
“It is imperative that as we prepare our children for the
future, we make information regarding higher education readily available to our
congregation and the community at large,” said Enon pastor the Rev. Alyn E.
Waller. “This collaboration is just one aspect of Enon’s commitment to the
community that we intend to strengthen in the future.”
Councilwoman Parker agreed.
“I’m thrilled that for the ninth year we have been able
to help connect hundreds of young people not only with institutions of higher
learning, but also with the resources available to help pay for college and
information about alternative career paths,” she said. “We have participation
from national universities and colleges offering top-notch programs, as well as
local unions offering stellar apprenticeship training, and outstanding
vocational institutions, all of which provide young people with a path to
family-sustaining careers.”
More than 200 families with teenagers interacted with the
diverse set of local and non-local schools, including historically Black
colleges and universities (HBCUs) and art schools, and trade unions. Several
said they were able to get information to help make career decisions.
“I got information on schools that have my major and I’m
still deciding on a handful,” said Kristin Johnson, a senior at King High
School. “I need to start thinking about what I want to do for my career.”
Tiara Wright, a aspiring college student who has already
graduated high school, said she plans to enroll in an art school next year.
“I came already knowing I wanted to go to the Art
Institute,” she said. “[Recruiters] gave me all the information I needed.”
Ron Felder, of PHEAA, facilitated two workshops on the
financial aid process. He advised that in order to receive any scholarships or
grants, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA).
“The FAFSA opens Oct. 1. This is the first year it opens
Oct. 1. It’s important families use their 2015 tax information. [And] please
make sure you are using the correct information on your social security card.
On the state side, PHEAA opens early as well, so it’s more free money
accessible for people who apply on time.”
Felder added that students and families “need to start
reading award letters and [comparing] costs before they decide on a school,
because they might not be able to afford it.”
Pat Eiding, president of the Philadelphia Council
AFL-CIO, spoke with families about building trade opportunities.
He said that job seekers “need to know every trade’s
culture is a little different. They need to be able to pass the tests, which
are different in every trade [but] they all emphasize math and reading. [The]
fundamentals are the drug tests and a high school diploma. [And] they all need
drivers licenses because they take you across a five-county area.”
Eiding added that “the biggest thing is there are a lot
of folks that need help. We need to be able to get folks over hurdles. They may
need basic education.”
Robert Paul, a pastor at Piney Grove Baptist Church and a
representative for the Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19 apprenticeship and
training fund, shared information on “Helmets to Hard Hats,” a program that
trains veterans in construction trades through free apprenticeship training
programs.
“Once [veterans] apply, all they have to do is pass the
interview,” said Paul. “We can exempt them from the [trade] test to get into
training.”
Source: The
Philadelphia Tribune
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