November 15, 2009 Program Update

For the week ending November 13, 2009, LGI had 2,333 participants enrolled in all 2009 classes and events. In the four months, we had 599 new GED enrollments.  Here are the 2009 cumulative enrollments for our GED preparation sites:

•   73   more people got the news that they passed the exam since our July 20 Update.
•   79   people are waiting for their test results.
•   22   people need to retake one or more sections of the exam.
•   17   are waiting to be registered for the GED exam.
•   129 are on schedule to take the exam within the next two months.
•   84  clients on our inactive list returned to class in the last 3 weeks.  % total enrollment currently inactive = 37%
•   7    new sites/partner organizations have been added LGI's Community Learning Network in the past 2 months.

% 1st Time Pass = 87% (211/244)  [(221 pass - 10 2nd time pass = 211)/(221 pass + 22 retake + 1 no pass = 244)]

These are the enrollments for other classes and services:

GED Success Story

by Kathy Royer

Sandy Osborne and Sheila Harris have supported each other through many of life's ups and downs.  They came to LGI together to enroll in the GED preparation program at the Roosevelt Center.

At first they sat quietly at adjacent desks and worked diligently, whispering every once in a while.  Then one day, Sheila burst into tears.  She just couldn't get the math she was working on.  Robin, an LGI coach, came over to see what was wrong.  Robin sat down and worked with Sheila until she felt more confident.

From that day on, Sandy and Sheila became more sociable.  They worked hard, but in between they laughed and chatted.  They no longer hesitated to ask for help.  They took work home.  They helped each other through the rough spots. 

Finally, Levar, the LGI Site Coordinator for Roosevelt, told them that they were ready for the final push.

First, they had to conquer the Official GED Practice Test.  They came in early to take it together.  Even though their scores were passing, they took the exam again to improve their performance.  Sheila could tell that she still needed some help in math.  LGI found a one-on-one tutor for her to help her improve her math skills.

Sandy and Sheila sadly could not take their exams together.  Sandy lives in Michigan and Sheila in Indiana.  You must take the GED exam in the state where you live.  LGI helped them find the testing sites that were best for them.  It was the beginning of summer and there was only one site available for Sheila because of summer test schedules.  They went into their exams feeling that they knew what to expect from it and from themselves.  They knew what their strengths and weaknesses were. 

Sheila says that a big thing that she gained from working with LGI was confidence.  She told us "I don't cry now when I can't figure out a math problem.  I just keep working."

Sandy passed her exam the first time.  Sheila did just as she expected and passed everything except math.  She is ready to retake the math section now and get her diploma.  But more than that, she's sure of herself.  She will never feel intimidated by a test in the same way.  She knows she can do it if she just keeps trying.

Las Estrellas del Ano 2009 Latino Community Service Awards

On October 10, 2009, the Learning Generation Initiative (LGI) will hold the second annual Las Estrellas del Año 2009 Latino Community Service Awards ceremony at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Ft. Wayne.  We will honor outstanding service to and by the Latino community in northern Indiana in seven award areas.  We will also present an award for “Latino of the Year.”  Each award winner will receive a $500 cash prize, with an additional $500 going to the “Latino of the Year.” 

We would appreciate any nominations you might wish to make or any suggestions you might have for contacts to recruit nominations.  There is no fee to make a nomination and we will accept nominations from any person or organization in northern Indiana.  Click here for the nomination form.  Please feel free to pass it on to others if you would like.  Nominations will be accepted through August 31, 2009.

The Las Estrellas program will include a reception for award nominees and a dinner and dance from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM.  Tickets are $50 each.  A table purchase of eight tickets for $400 will include an ad in our event program, along with signage at the event.  We expect about 600 attendees, drawing from the La Porte area through South Bend, Elkhart, and Goshen, and the Ft. Wayne area.

Call us toll free at 866-898-3908 to reserve your tickets today.

2009 Press Releases

LGI and LaGrange County Library Open New GED Preparation Site in Topeka

Topeka, IN, June 24, 2009.  Click here to read press release.

Pictured left to right:  Mandi Leer, LGI Site Coordinator, Donna Pearson, Work One, Beth Sherman, Director of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce, Mary Hooley, LaGrange County Library Director, Dave Myers, Instructor, Kathy Royer, LGI Program Manager, Lisa Walenceus, LGI Executive Director, and Deb Ehret, Bethel College, Elkhart Campus.

The Learning Generation Initiative and Middlebury Community Library Open New GED Preparation and Test Site

Middlebury, IN, February 7, 2009.  Click here to read the press release.

Pictured left to right:  Jim Connor, Superintendent, Middlebury Community Schools, Mike Yoder, Elkhart County Commissioner, Terry Reinheimer, Director, Middlebury Community Library, Lisa Walenceus, Executive Director, Learning Generation Initiative, and Sam Pohl, Executive Director, Middlebury Chamber of Commerce

The Learning Generation Initiative Announces Las Estrellas del Año 2009 Latino Community Service Awards Ceremony

Fort Wayne, IN, January 20, 2009.  Click here to read the press release.

Pictured left to right:  Sylvia Rosales, 2008 Business Award, Rick Robles, 2008 Law Award, Tom Henry, Mayor of Ft. Wayne, Lisa Walenceus, Executive Director, Learning Generation Initiative, and Rosa Wheeler, 2008 Leadership Award.

Tools & Opportunities

	Jun 25, 2009 Topeka GED Launch
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