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Volume 2 April 2011
The MISSION of the
New Choices Career
Development
SUCCESS!
Program is to assist Featured Stories from the New Choices Career Development Program
single mothers,
displaced
homemakers, and
individuals in
LEARNING NEW AND VALUABLE SKILLS IN NEW CHOICES
transition in
achieving economic Barb Hilliard skills, with instruction on the
Indiana University of Pennsylvania basics where needed, and inde-
self‐sufficiency.
pendent assignments for those
We get up in the morning, with more exposure to com-
The VISION of the have coffee, get showered, puters. Everybody learned
New Choices Career dressed and go to work. How something new.
Development many of us have followed that
Program is to routine? Where we work and We got to practice speaking in
empower individuals what we do becomes a deep front of others (part of my fear
in transition to part of who we are… that is, of interviews, I think). We ex-
participate fully in until the day we get up, have plored three new careers and
planning and coffee, get showered, dressed what it would take to get there.
achieving their and… look for a job. I found We learned about transferrable
career, educational, myself unemployed last fall, skills – those things that every-
and personal goals. and I felt lost. I scanned the one does in real life that are
The program classified ads, half hoping to actually job skills; like washing
provides an find a job lead; half afraid of a load of laundry while dinner
what would come next when I is cooking and helping your
environment that you qualify. Another very help-
did: the resume, the cover let- kids with their homework is
preserves dignity, ful component of the workshop
ter, the possible interview and another way to say you priori-
respects diversity, is the Employer Panel. Differ-
the -- take a deep breath now - tize tasks and meet deadlines
and supports - questions. “Tell me a little
ent employers/human resource
with extensive multi-tasking managers from the area come
personal choice. bit about yourself. Tell me ability. Any parent who has together and answer questions
why you want to work here? hosted a sleep-over exhibits regarding the job search and
Why should I hire you? Why remarkable communication and
SUCCESS Stories! hiring process. It’s also a good
did you leave your last posi- interaction with diverse groups way to network with people
Michelle 2 tion?” All very proper ques- of people. Everybody has them; regarding potential job opportu-
Deanna Giles 3 tions, and frankly, if I were the we learned how to recognize nities. We learned about re-
interviewer, I’d want to know them.
Donna McGinnis 3 sumes and cover letters, got tips
the answers as well. All those
on interviewing, and even had a
Marie Annette Lee 4 questions were followed by a
“Was my experience mock interview at IUP. They
polite rejection letter in the
Kathy Zecheral 4 mail a few weeks later. I could
videotaped mine and gave me a
5
worthwhile? Absolutely! copy. The interviewer (a gradu-
Lori Northrup not help but wonder what I
ate student in Human Re-
Dena Clark 5 was doing wrong. What was I I can’t recommend this sources) explained things I
missing?
Dawn Wimer 5 program highly enough” could change to give a more
positive interview. She was
In my search, I came across an
sweet and gave me tons of en-
advertisement for a five-week
couragement! That was a very
course called “How to get a We had guest speakers from beneficial thing for me, because
Job.” Ok not its real name but local schools like Indiana within the next week, I had an-
that’s what I would call it. The County Technical Center, Cam- other job interview, and THIS
real name is Indiana Univer- bria Rowe Business College, time I got the job. No polite
sity of Pennsylvania (IUP) and Westmoreland County letter this time!
New Choices Career Develop- Community College. They gave
ment. In the course, we started us first-hand knowledge about Was my experience worth-
off with basics like self esteem, their schools and the programs while? Absolutely! I can’t rec-
attitude, decision making, goal they offer. Depending on fund- ommend this program highly
setting and communication. ing, there can be tuition assis- enough.
We progressed to computer tance through New Choices if
Page 2 SUCCESS!
NEW CHOICES GOES THE DISTANCE
Michele in the marital resident due to my hus- such a multidisciplinary approach cross
Altoona, PA band removing all access to money covering each other and networking to
prior to his moving out. WE traveled help their students meet their goals
My Name is Michele; I completed the approximately 90 miles a day to and I recently was offered and accepted a
New Choices program in February from the Hollidaysburg area for 3 years part time job as a RN in a local doc-
2011. I had been trying to return to for my daughter to attend a Montessori tor’s office. This position has potential
work after 11 years at home helping school. My daughter desperately for fulltime after I acquire my cardiac
my husband and raising our daughter wanted to live closer to her friends and certifications that I had let expire. The
who is now 7 years of age and entering ride the bus to school for first grade. New Choices program has gone the
first grade. I was not having great suc- My husband told us that he would not distance to help me make this come to
cess and was quite frustrated and down help, it was a legal matter. We found a fruition. I am also waiting to hear if I am
on myself. I had been a very successful dog-friendly apartment and moved. My accepted into the HIT Certification
pharmaceutical sales representative for legal fees are putting me further in program through CCAC. I applied for
a leading manufacturer prior to mar- debt: the move has also contributed this free online certificate program that
riage along with having a bachelor’s along with the expense of paying for is part of The American Recovery and
degree in nursing. private school and basics for a child Reinvestment Act of 2009 related to a
who has never been in the same size tip I received through another person
3 ½ years ago my husband told me that clothing or shoes for more than 3 while attaining Job Club through
he wanted a divorce in 90 days and months. CareerLink. I was connected with
wanted to be amicable about it. Since CareerLink through the New Choices
that time he has modified my spousal/ I read an advertisement for the New program. Completing this online pro-
child support (5) times, demanded our Choices program in our local paper. I gram will give me another skill set to
child go through custody evaluation and contacted the director thinking that I add to my resume along with allowing
pursued it in court for two years be- would be over qualified due to my me another way to be gainfully em-
fore forcing it to come to fruition. My work experience and education. I was ployed yet available to my child which
husband’s most recent “amicable” pleasantly surprised to find out that I is my priority.
move has been to petition to terminate was able to attend the program. The
my spousal support. This has been a New Choices program truly is a self- I cannot thank Tammie Fleck, Director
very sad experience for me due to my discovery program on so many levels. of the New Choices program, enough
supporting him through many difficult The program offers professional, per-
for the wonderful opportunities that
times including loss of his employment sonal, and emotional support for peo-
and malpractice insurance but more ple who have met or are meeting diffi- she helped me to create but more im-
importantly I am the monster to his cult times and unable to see their true portantly for empowering me to once
only child and he has made every at- potential. In my case, I had been out of again realize my true potential and to
tempt to see me penniless and home- the workforce for a significant amount believe in myself. I highly recommend
less. of time along with being beat down this program and hope that this article
from a bad marriage, challenges of encourages someone else to take the
My main goal is to keep my daughter’s motherhood and a tumultuous divorce.
same leap of faith that I did.
life as consistent and as unchanged as The ongoing support and guidance that
possible. My daughter, dogs and I lived I received has been overwhelming. Eve-
ryone involved in the program works in
“The New Choices Program
truly is a self-discovery program
on so many levels.”
SUCCESS! Page 3
THE CHANCE TO LIVE OUT MY DREAMS
Deanna Giles The next years of my life produced a esteem and feeling hopeless to my situa‐
Community College Beaver County marriage and children. I wanted to attend tion, and I was frozen in fear to make
school but I needed to work full‐time and another choice at all. The angels involved
When I was growing up, I always imag‐ raise a family. My struggles mounted in this program enlightened me that en‐
ined attending college. I knew that college after divorce and learning of my son’s tering college was not as difficult as I
would transform my life from the narrow mental retardation and extra needs. I was imagined. I never would have considered
mindedness and the depressed neighbor‐ on my own and barely treading water in it, but there was something so comforting
hoods around me, to something of greater life; going to school now was not even to feel I was not alone ‐ this group of
value. I envisioned being a professor that imaginable. women were supporting me and offering
made knowledge available and retainable guidance that I was never offering guid‐
to inspired minds, a biologist searching ance that I was never offered as a teen‐
for answers to problems unknown, and a ager.
psychologist helping people to sort out I started my full time studies at commu‐
their madness one person at a time for nity college in the spring of 2010 with
the betterment of society. much trepidation, but was empowered
When my senior high school days were not long after when I realized that I
upon me, my mother had a tragic accident longed to be a student. I have been push‐
that changed our lives. There was little ing forward with all A’s since that first
help from insurance so my father had to day and embracing the experience; it has
pay the bills for inpatient rehabilitation been my salvation!
and suffer the loss of an income as well. I will finish an Associate’s Degree in
There was no money for me to attend When I lost my job, and identity, in my Business Administration in 2011. Many
school and little guidance from my father late thirties, I needed some help. I turned doors will continue to open for me and I
whom I rarely saw between his work, the to a group I found on the internet offering will never forget the opportunities given
hospitals, my school, sports and part‐time a class to displaced women called New me by PA Women Work and the New
employment. Choices. I was suffering from loss of self‐ Choices Program.
NEW CHOICES HELPS ADVANCE EDUCATION
But my niece was not letting up on me, so I completed my Associates Degree in
Donna McGinnis I decided to go. To my surprise this pro‐ Criminal justice and I am now attending
Pennsylvania Women Work gram was very informative and I really classes for my Bachelors Degree in Crimi‐
enjoyed it! I could not wait to come back
Before I was introduced to the program to class. nal Justice / Human Services. I figured
New Choices, I was not working and just that while I am waiting for a job to come
barely getting by with the knowledge that One reason I was excited to come back through, I can gain more education and
I had. I wanted to do so many things at was because on the first day of the class, knowledge in the process. I have and will
once but was struggling to because I did there were women there my age that continue to recommend the New choices
not stop and prioritize what I wanted to were going through much more than I New Options to other women that are in
do. I was always wondering why I could was. That made me want to stay. Also, the
need of some help.
not get certain jobs and what was wrong instructor Ms. Nieves was so inspira‐
with my resume. I wanted to go back to tional; she was a very positive woman. I
The best part about the program is that I
school and get my Associates Degree in really learned a lot about myself. I learned
Criminal Justice. I got tired of sitting how to use powerful words on my resume am still, to this day, getting help from PA
around wondering why I could not do to make it more impressive. I also gained Women Work. I have taken computer
things. One day, I received a phone call some good contacts before completing classes and have gone to various work‐
from my niece, she was telling me about a the program. After completing the pro‐ shops. I want to thank all the women that
program that she wanted to go through, gram I was feeling so much more confi‐ have worked with me and stood by me no
but she wanted me to go with her. dent, and I knew I could go out and get a matter what I was going through. Thank
job that I loved. However, I knew that it you everyone for your love and support.
I was reluctant to go because I felt that was not that easy to get a job, so I paced
this program was going to be the same as myself, prioritized, and I created a time
all the other programs that I had gone limit, to ease the process of finding a job.
through.
Page 4 SUCCESS!
FROM BROKENNESS TO BLESSED GRATEFULNESS
Marie Annette Lee
Carlow University I have always had a strong desire to further
my education. I recognized the reality of
My name is Marie Annette Lee. I am fifty- achieving my dreams, endeavors and secur-
seven years old. I have three grown children, ing a better financial future, would be
five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren through higher education. Making this com-
and a daughter –in-law. I am employed by mitment was the best decision. Pursuing the
the Penn Hills School District. I have been a endeavor has been challenging yet achiev-
license Minister through the Church of God able. For me, the New Choices at Carlow
in Christ, for the last twelve years. I volun- University has been resourceful, accommo-
teer with several community outreach or- dating, compassionate and supportive. The
ganizations, feeding programs, clothing program stresses the importance of aca-
drives, and minister in nursing homes. I am demic excellence while providing the oppor-
currently matriculating through Carlow sense of agility was slowly and painfully tunity to discover new careers. One of the
university in pursuit of a Liberal Arts De- depleting. Weakness possessed my being. I strongest positions of the program is that
gree; graduating this year - May 14, 2011. was losing myself in darkness and disbelief. they prepare the student for a lifelong educa-
This accomplishment was, in part, achiev- I kept asking “Why?” tional experience.
able as a result of my educational journey
with New Choices. Before I elaborate on the My two youngest children, Michael, 10 I am grateful to New Choices and its staff
process of my educational journey, I will years old, and Michele, 12 years old, were infor their investment and confidence in me.
review the events that have caused my life a state of shock. Although I was physically As a result of the program, I was given the
to transform from brokenness to blessed present, my spirit had abandoned myself and opportunity to heal, grow and blossom into a
gratefulness. them. The first few years of widowhood confident, graduating individual. I am
were a cosmos of disorientations. blessed to have the prayers and encourage-
In the early hours of Sunday morning, on ment from my family, friends, my Church
January 24, 1999, my life changed by the In the month of February 2003, I entered the family, and professors. Most of all, I thank
time the night dissipating into the dawn; New Choices’ eight weeks program, with God for his grace and mercy.
which set my future on an uncertain course. anticipation and also a sense of apprehen-
That Sunday morning claimed the life of my sion. I met Lynda Broze, who upon gradua- My children are pleased with my achieve-
husband. My reality, which I was acquainted tion from the program, proposed to me an ments. I have given them the best example
and comfortable with, crumbled, as I proc- opportunity to attend Carlow University of me. They will attend the graduating cere-
essed this event that matured and took a life through the Adult Returning to College mony at Carlow and share with me my ren-
of its own. I felt the control of my con- Program. I was more than ecstatic; it was a aissance of victory and success.
sciousness slither through my grasp as my prayer answered, encouragement, and the
boost I needed.
DISCOVERING LIFE’S PASSION THROUGH NEW CHOICES
Kathy Zecheral 13 years as an account executive, 10 Since completing the IUP New Choices
Indiana University of Pennsylvania years of administrative experience and a Career Development Program in Novem‐
Bachelors Degree in Business Administra‐ ber 2010, I have enrolled at Keller Gradu‐
Attending the IUP New Choices Career tion?”
ate School of Management to pursue a
Development Program has literally
Sales is a tough profession, and after los‐ Graduate Certificate in Human Resources
changed my life. I started my career as a
receptionist, worked my way up to execu‐ ing my job in October 2009, I had to find a Management and SPHR Certification.
tive secretary, and eventually became an new career. A former co‐worker had at‐ Through the New Choices employer panel
office manager. In 1998, I obtained a tended the New Choices workshop in discussion, I met Susan Tack Beardsley of
Bachelors Degree in Business Administra‐ Beaver and raved about the class. The Quality Life Services and was offered an
tion. While pursuing my degree, I had my most important thing I gained from New internship as Acting Human Resource
first taste of sales as a Pampered Chef Choices has been finding a career focus. I
Director while their HR Director is on
Consultant. After graduating from Robert wanted to change careers, but had no idea
Morris, I started with Zee Medical as an what I wanted to do. How could I use the medical leave. This opportunity has only
outside sales representative selling first skills and education that I already have confirmed my passion for the HR profes‐
aid and safety supplies. At that time, being and turn it into a new career? The Career sion and my desire to obtain my Masters
a mom was my first priority. Now, as my Interests Inventory we completed in the Degree in Human Resources.
son leaves for college, it was time for my workshop helped me find my passion –
career. I wondered: “What do you do with Human Resources.
SUCCESS! Page 5
NEW CHOICES BOOSTS CONFIDENCE OPPORTUNITY FOR A BETTER LIFE
Lori Northrop position and have been Dena Clark toona, PA in hopes of provid‐
Altoona, PA offered the position perma‐ Altoona, PA ing us with a better life.
nently!
My name is Lori. Before, I lived in a bad envi‐ I am enrolled at South Hills
I completed the New Choices Because of what I have ronment. I had to work two School of Business & Tech‐
Program in Feb. 2011. My learned through New jobs in order to support my nology and will start Busi‐
obstacle was starting in the Choices and with the help of four children and myself. It ness Management/Marketing
clerical field after being a was hard to be at work and in August. I am pursuing an
Tammie, the Director at Al‐
Nurses Aide for over sixteen have to worry if your chil‐ Associate’s Degree.
toona New Choices, I have
years. I felt that I would dren are making it home
gained the confidence and
safely from school. I used to I have graduated from the
enjoy and do well at a career knowledge to move ahead in be afraid for my life because New Choices Career Devel‐
as a Secretary/Receptionist the direction I want to and of the gangs, drugs, drive‐ opment Program. My chil‐
but wanted to feel more con‐ not to just accept one that I bys, and burglaries. You just
fident about my choice. I am being pushed into. This dren have been my greatest
never knew what to expect
took the tests and completed is a major change for me and living there. motivators and inspiration. I
the New Choices Program has helped me in all areas of will continue to do all I can to
and found I could do well my life! I wanted to break that cycle. be successful for the sake of
and any career I chose! I am I wanted to be self‐sufficient, my children. Before, those
now confident that a Clerical get out of public housing, and words would have never
Career is a good fit for me. possibly become a home‐ been in my vocabulary.
I have acquired a temporary buyer. I moved here to Al‐
NEW CHOICES LEADS TO LIFE AFTER DEATH
Dawn Wimer skills necessary to be successful in
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
My sons freed me of that prison. my new career.
They taught me to live again and
There is life after death and I can made me laugh again. It’s because of In considering our country’s current
prove it. As divine providence might them that I don’t just live a miserable economic status and my own per‐
have it, today, March 30 2011, marks existence and its because of them sonal situation, I believe the best goal
3 years and 6 months, to the day, that I have hope for a new life. for me is to train to become a Medical
since my husband was killed in an They’ve helped me find the strength Transcriptionist.
auto accident. He wasn't the only one inside to begin the search to start a
that died that day. Part of me died successful career. Given that careers in the health care
with him, each of our children lost a field are in ever increasing demand
part of themselves, and a lot of I only share this to give you some and the fact that my oldest son has a
dreams passed away as well. It would background of where I am coming disability, that sometimes makes it
have been easy to curl up and quit from… not to garner sympathy or dangerous for him to be left alone,
living, but it would have been a mis‐ favor. Because truly, I am stronger Medical Transcriptionist seems to
erable existence. for all of it and I am richly blessed. best meet my most importance con‐
siderations for finding a new career.
Three and a half years...it’s been I was not prepared to be anything
awhile since I’ve counted back to see more that a wife and mother, so this This is a goal that I need to accom‐
how much time has passed. I can re‐ journey has been difficult. After plish. I know I can reach this goal.
member when I counted every single struggling unsuccessfully to find an‐ Thank you for giving me the opportu‐
day. It was as if the act of counting swers on my own, I decided to enroll nity to try to make this goal a bit
the days without him was a way of in IUP’s New Choices New Options more feasible.
paying some kind of homage to his Workshop. Not only do I now have a
memory, but in a strange way, it kept better idea of who I am and what
me from really living. I was holding kinds of career paths would be best
myself captive in a prison of grief. for me, I now know that I have the
20102011 New Choices
Project Directors
Allegheny Erie Montgomery Pennsylvania Women Work
Jennifer Kiley Mary Ellen Camp Dianna McFadden
Joyce Blackburn
Community College of Regional Career and Montgomery County
Senior Program Manager
Allegheny County Technical Center Community College
724-222-7472
808 Ridge Avenue 8500 Oliver Road 101 College Drive
joycepblackburn@comcast.net
Byers Hall Room 321 Erie, PA 16509-4699 Pottstown, PA 19464
Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (814) 464-8671 (610)718-1836
Debra Killmeyer
(412) 237-2778 Fax: (814) 464-8625 Fax: 610-718-1837
Interim Executive Director
E-mail: jkiley@ccac.edu E-mail: mcamp@ects.org Email: dmcfadde@mc3.edu
Chamber of Commerce Building
411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 925
Allegheny, Beaver & Washington Indiana Northampton, Monroe, Lehigh,
Debra Killmeyer Lisa Brochetti Upper Bucks Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Pennsylvania Women Work Indiana University of Maryann Haytmanek
(412) 281-9240
411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 925 Pennsylvania Northampton Community College
(412) 628-0003 (Cell)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 637 Philadelphia Street 3835 Green Pond Road
Fax: (412) 281-9279
(412) 281-9270 Indiana, PA 15701 Bethlehem, PA 18020-5374
E-mail: dkill-
Fax: (412) 281-9279 (724) 357-4738 (610) 861-5350
meyer@pawomenwork.org
E-mail: pawwmae@aol.com Fax: (724) 357-5536 Fax: (610) 332-6308
E-mail: liza@iup.edu E-mail:
Blair mhaytmanek@northampton.edu
Tammie Fleck Lancaster
Greater Altoona Career and Tricia Cleaves Philadelphia
Tech Center Lancaster County CTC Mansura Karim
1500 Fourth Avenue 110 North Lime Street Temple University
Altoona, PA 16602-3695 Lancaster, PA 17602-2990 1301 Cecil B Moore Ave.,
(814) 946-8562 (717) 393-1735 Ext 236 Room 637
Fax: (814) 941-4620 Fax: (717) 396-0513 Philadelphia, PA 19122-7491
E-mail: Tammie.fleck@gactc.edu E-mail: tlnabes1@aol.com (215) 204-8675
Fax: (215) 204-2362
Clarion Lebanon, Dauphin, E-mail: mkarim@temple.edu
Greg Sands Cumberland, Perry
Clarion County Kathy Verna Venango County
Community Action , Inc. P.R.O.B.E. Melissa Danzer
105 Grace Way 815 Cumberland Street, #206 Venango County AVTS
Punxsutawney, PA 15767 Lebanon, PA 17042-5266 One Vo-Tech Drive
(814) 938-3302 x 250 (717) 273-2090 Oil City, PA 16301-3599 “To Climb
E-mail: gsands@jccap.org Fax: (717) 273-6147 (814) 677-3097 ext. 219
E-mail: kmverna@probepa.org Fax: (814) 676-0075
Clinton E-mail: mdanzer@vtc1.org
Jenn McConnell McKean & Elk Steep Hills
Central Intermediate Unit 10 Janice Himes York
Clinton County Career Link 2 Main St., Suite 406 Hope Harrison
8 North Grove St., Suite G Bradford, PA 16701-2224 York County School of Technology Requires a Slow
Lock Haven, PA 17745 (814) 331-4541 2179 South Queen Street
(570) 893-4038 or (570) 893-4052 Fax: (814) 331-4542 York, PA 17402
Fax: (570) 748-1598 E-mail: ncno@atlanticbb.net (717) 741-0820 x 4317
E-mail: Fax: (717) 747-0426 Pace at First”
mcconnelljm@comcast.net Mifflin E-mail: hharrison@ycstech.org or
Penny Willard yorkncno@ycstech.org
Delaware & Chester Intermediate Unit 11—Tuscarora
Shakespeare
Sandy Gera Community Educational Services
Delaware County MCIDC Plaza Building 58
Community College 6395 SR 103 North
901 South Media Line Road Lewistown, PA 17044-2434
Media, PA 19063-1094 (717) 248-4942 ext 128
(610) 359-5232/5296 Fax: (717) 248-8610
Fax: (610) 359-5351 E-mail: pwillard@tiu11.org
E-mail: sgera@dccc.edu
