Lynn Adult Education Offers New Services

“Thousands of adults in Lynn do not have the skills they need to be able to support themselves and their families. Thousands of children are being raised in poverty or at the margins. Operation Bootstrap is actively engaged in efforts to develop the human capital this population represents,” says Executive Director, Edward Tirrell. “Turning these statistics around means a more prosperous and vibrant North Shore community for all of us.”

Results recently released by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education confirm that Operation Bootstrap has the best outcomes of large English language programs in Massachusetts. Taking this expertise, Operation Bootstrap is expanding programs offered in the fall.

In September, Operation Bootstrap will launch a Culinary Arts program, offering adults the opportunity to obtain training and credentials while working towards their high school equivalency degree (formerly GED). The program, built in partnership with North Shore Community College, will involve taking classes at both Bootstrap and the College, earning college credits while pursuing a career pathway in culinary arts. “For someone who is looking for a rewarding career and needing to work on their reading, writing and math skills and earning a high school equivalency while taking college classes, this free program offers a unique opportunity,” says Paula Murphy-Roux, Operation Bootstrap Board President.

Given our expertise in adult education and in order to serve more Lynn area residents, Bootstrap is establishing a fee for service program, offering Computer Training Classes, Citizenship Classes (preparing qualified adults to take the Citizenship test), and High School Equivalency classes in Spanish – at a nominal fee. Executive Director, Edward Tirrell remarks, “With inadequate public funding to meet the needs of Lynn residents, we are expanding our service delivery model to include fee for service classes to provide opportunities for thousands of adults that we otherwise would not be able to serve.”

These opportunities reflect a part of our transformation from adult education to workforce education and training, providing people with pathways to credentials that lead to higher wages. “Bootstrap looks forward to revealing the full details of the transformation at a gala event at the Lynn Museum on November 3rd, 2016,” according to Sarah Hesch, Development Coordinator.

Applicants, agency staff or others interested learning more about these new programs are invited to attend one of two Information Sessions held at Operation Bootstrap, 20 Wheeler Street, Suite 203, Lynn, MA 01902. On  Tuesday July 19th the session starts at 9AM and ends at 12PM. On Wednesday, July 20th the session begins at 5PM and ends at 8PM.  For more information please visit our website www.operationbootstrap.org.

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