Contact: Ellen Bank

843.792.2626

Dec. 1, 2000

Free Program to Provide Job Training and Life Skills

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Low income women will have the opportunity to receive free vocational and life skills training through the Innovative Alternatives for Women Program beginning in January.

Program participants will learn job skills, financial management techniques, business and social etiquette and other skills needed for success in work world.

The 12-week program will start mid-January at Zion Olivet Presbyterian Church, 134 Cannon St. Classes are Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Individuals wishing to participate should call Dr. Sandra Brown, executive director of the project, at 723-8150. A high school diploma or GED is required.

The program is coordinated by the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing and Zion Olivet Presbyterian Church in conjunction with the Enterprise Community and numerous local businesses.

"Our previous programs have been highly successful," said Brown. "We have 70 graduates. Of these 92 percent are currently employed, and 16 percent have enrolled in college."

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