Anya Ivanova
In Motion Staff Writer
The Center for Women and Men once again opens its doors this semester for people who want to make their life better.
Photo By: Lance Rothwell/In Motion
Nancy DeStefano, the program manager, said, “The fresh start program is to assist students in mapping out their future. They are here to take part in a four week free class that will allow them to explore all the services and programs that are available and hopefully get them to enroll as either adult education student or a college credit student.”
The program was created 38 years ago. Originally it was called a Displaced Homemakers Program and it taught women who were divorced, or whose spouses died, skills necessary to find a job and support a family. Now this program has extended its age limit from 35 and up, to 18 and up, and it became about helping any woman who needs help.
Veronica A. Oxford, Associate Director at the Center for Women and Men, said, “We had to change the program; understanding that in this day and time education is important and instead of our program being about finding a job, we place out students into college.”
The classes are from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. The classes usually have from 15 to 18 students which allows people to feel safe and gives the teacher time for every student. Carol Davis, the teacher for the program at the Daytona campus, had participated in the program herself. She has been a teacher for eight years and now she is a successful attorney who wants to help others achieve what she did.
The students learn about transitioning to college and about finding a job. One of the most important parts of the course is to make students believe in themselves.
“Our classes are like a support group. The students themselves encourage one another. Plus, our teachers are really good. They work on issues like self-esteem, setting short-term and long-term goals, and getting a mindset that they are in control,” says DeStefano.
Oxford said that the course teaches women that “They can be stronger, they can self-sufficient, they can take care of themselves. We deal with what makes you the person you are and we try to treat that and we try to put you with the person who is going to help you make it better for your life.”
In her testimony, past student Ingrid Laas described her experience with Fresh Start very positively. She has now graduated from DSC with high honors and can’t wait to go further with her education and self-improvement.
Laas said, “From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted with assurance from the staff in the Center for Women and Men; that I was in the right place and that they could help me. Throughout my Daytona State College experience, I have learned and continue to learn so much from passionate instructors, helpful staff and like-minded classmates. The support and enthusiasm here are sincere and constant.”
The Center for Women and Men provides other services for their graduates too. All students can get help with applying for scholarships and financial aid. The students, who are eligible can borrow up to three free textbooks each semester. The Center also has a Clothes Closet with business attire where people, who participate in Fresh Start can borrow clothes for interviews with potential employers. Fresh Start graduates have workshops and presentations every other month to help them with anything they might need and also to find out how they are doing after the course. All services are provided at no costs for students. The Center is accepting donations of both clothes and textbooks.
The Center for Women and Men is hosting their annual luncheon on March 27 at the Hosseini Center where two graduates from the Fresh Start program are going to tell their stories of success.
The staff of the Center for Women and Men is very supportive of all the people going through their programs. They truly work together to achieve great results.
Oxford said, “We call our women here butterflies. They start out as caterpillars and then, through metamorphosis, they become butterflies that can fly.”
The classes are offered at Daytona Beach, Deltona and Palm Coast campuses. The next classes are: Daytona Beach: March 24 – April 18, April 28 – May 23, June 2 – June 27; Deltona: March 24 – April 18, April 28 – May 23, June 2 – June 27; Palm Coast: March 24 – April 18, April 28 – May 23, June 2 – June 27. For information call 386-506-3610.