Anne Arundel Community
College (AACC) is one of 12 community colleges in the country selected
to participate in the Walmart Brighter Futures 2.0 Project, which is
supported by a $3.5 million grant from the Walmart Foundation to the
League for Innovation in the Community College (League).
The
project aims to provide low-income adults and older youth the skills
necessary to obtain middle-skill jobs, enabling them to become
financially self-sufficient. In addition, the project is modeled to
provide participants with the confidence they need to know they’ve
acquired the skills employers want, which will empower them to document
those skills and communicate them effectively to employers.
Through
the project, each selected community college will receive up to
$233,333 to provide training and services for the targeted individuals
that will qualify them for middle-skill positions in the workforce. The
training will focus on jobs requiring 21st century skills in
an effort to provide a promising career future. In addition to specific
job training, individuals will receive career counseling and job
acquisition skills such as job search, résumé writing and interviewing
techniques.
Dr.
Dawn Lindsay, president of AACC, said, “We are excited to be selected
to participate in this project. We appreciate the generosity of the
Walmart Foundation and the leadership of the League for Innovation in
making this work possible. We look forward to working with our national
partners and our local business and community partners to help make a
difference across the country by helping lower-income individuals
prepare for middle-skill jobs. This effort underscores part of our
mission to improve the condition of working families in our communities
through the power of education and training.”
Over
the next 2.5 years, the League will work with this select group of 12
community colleges across the U.S. to help these institutions develop
programs and services to move low-income, low-skill individuals into
middle-skill jobs. The League will disseminate the best practices from
the project to other community colleges throughout the country.
In
addition to AACC, other colleges funded were Central Piedmont Community
College (North Carolina), Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio), Delta
College (Michigan); El Centro College, the Dallas County Community
College District (Texas); Kirkwood Community College (Iowa); Maricopa
Community Colleges (AZ); Miami Dade College (FL); Moraine Valley
Community College (Illinois); Santa Fe College (Florida); Seattle
Community Colleges (Washington); and, Sinclair Community College
(Ohio).
In
announcing the grants, League President and CEO, Dr. Gerardo E. de los
Santos, expressed confidence that the Walmart Brighter Futures project
will have a profound and positive impact beyond the 12 colleges. “As
with an earlier project funded by the Walmart Foundation, Brighter
Futures 2.0 will lead to best practices that will expand the capacity of
community colleges to enhance middle-skill job training opportunities.
The League will be delighted to share the work of the 12 colleges with
colleges around the country,” said de los Santos.
“The
Walmart Foundation supports programs that provide people with ways to
improve their lives through skills training, job readiness, job
placement and support services,” said Julie Gehrki, senior director of
the Walmart Foundation. “We are proud to continue our work with the
League for Innovation and expect to help 9,000 workers gain the skills
they need for today’s job market through this continued effort.”
About Anne Arundel Community College
Anne
Arundel Community College is an award-winning, fully accredited public
two-year institution serving approximately 53,000 students each year
through classes offered at more than 100 sites in Anne Arundel County or
online. AACC offers national and regional studies leading to a degree,
certificate, industry credential, transfer to a four-year institution or
career enhancement, personal enrichment and lifelong learning. For
information, visit www.aacc.edu.
About the League for Innovation in the Community College.
The
League for Innovation in the Community College is an international
organization dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement. The
League hosts conferences and institutes, develops web resources,
conducts research, produces publications, provides services, and leads
projects and initiatives with more than 800 member colleges, 160
corporate partners, and a host of other government and nonprofit
agencies in a continuing effort to make a positive difference for
students and communities. Information about the League and its
activities is available at www.league.org.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart
and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better
through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back
locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the
communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its
core areas of giving: Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating, Sustainability,
Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the
Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United
States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated
more than one billion meals to those in need across the country. To
learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.
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