New Choices Career Development Program Awarded State Grant
(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA • October 20, 2016)—The New Choices Career Development Program at Delaware County Community College has received a grant of $67,725 from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to provide career guidance and job readiness services to vulnerable adults in Delaware and Chester Counties.
New Choices is a free program at the College’s Marple Campus that serves single parents, displaced homemakers and individuals in transition from Delaware and Chester Counties. It provides highly individualized, intensive career and personal development services to help residents identify career goals and create realistic plans to achieve those goals.
A six-week workshop series covers a variety of topics including career assessment, goal setting, résumé preparation, interviewing skills, confidence building and success on the job. Sessions are supplemented by the availability of classes in computer basics, along with one-on-one career planning and counseling. Upon completion of the program, participants enter additional training or employment, as appropriate. Referrals to other community-based support services are made as needed.
New Choices began in 1982 with a small group of 25 participants. Since then, thousands of area residents have completed the program. New Choices graduates often remain part of the New Choices network and assist current participants with job placements. The program is entirely grant-funded, and has been supported by grants from public agencies such as Pennsylvania’s Department of Education and Department of Labor and Industry, private foundations and individual contributions.
More information about the New Choices Career Development program is available by calling the program office at 610-359-5232.
