First-of-its-kind program offers tuition-free
credit and noncredit course bundles starting this
fall
SARATOGA, Calif., Aug. 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- West Valley
College (WVC) and Successful Aging Solutions & Community
Consulting (SASCC), a nonprofit service provider and community
consultancy that offers a suite of programs for older adults, are
proud to launch Senior Guided Pathways (SGP), the nation's first
program addressing the intersection of education, aging, and job
skills training providing comprehensive educational and career
support for adults 50+.
Starting this fall, SGP will offer credit and noncredit course
bundles at WVC designed to support older Californians facing
barriers such as ageism, a rapidly changing job market, and the
lack of training programs tailored to their needs. The courses
being offered are informed by community responses and have
practical application, based on survey data conducted locally in
2023 and 2024. Tuition is free for enrolled seniors, and SASCC is
providing transportation to and from campus as well as technical
support with navigating the online processes at no cost.
Earlier this month, WVC and SASCC hosted the SGP Day of Action
to inform and engage the community about the unique opportunities
and resources available to them. Over 30 volunteers assembled at
WVC's Main Campus Center to hear from the program's architects and
then canvas homes in the WVC service area to share information
about SGP and enrollment details. Modeled after successful
political campaigns, volunteers were equipped with door hangers,
lawn signs, pamphlets, and scripts describing the benefits of the
program. Over 400 homes were visited, with 82% of homes where a
resident answered expressing interest in learning more.
"Community colleges are a vehicle for families to achieve
generational stability and functional longevity, and we are proud
to be in the first community college district offering targeted
programming to cultivate and produce local workforce talent, for
all ages," said Dr. Jennifery Taylor-Mendoza, President of WVC.
"The Day of Action for Senior Guided Pathways helped raise
community awareness as we launch this critical resource, free to
any individual 50+ in our district service area."
"By breaking down barriers to access and providing comprehensive
career support, Senior Guided Pathways is making it easier for
local adults to access community programs, enabling them to secure
better jobs and enhance their quality of life," said Tylor Taylor, CEO of SASCC. "This vital
initiative and partnership with WVC reflects our collective
commitment to investing in lifelong learning for both aging adults
within our community as well as future generations."
WVC will be hosting a hands-on registration event on
Saturday, August 17 from 9:30-1:00 p.m. at the Student Services Center.
Please visit
https://www.westvalley.edu/events/registration-saturday/ to
RSVP.
Fall courses begin August 24, 2024
but enrollment for a full semester course ends on September 8.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact
Lisa Butterfield at
408-868-1257.
To learn more about Senior Guided Pathways, please visit:
https://www.westvalley.edu/schools/continuing-education/sascc/
About Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting
(SASCC):
Successful Aging Solutions & Community
Consulting (SASCC) has been a trusted leader in the Santa Clara community since 1979. As a
nonprofit consultancy, SASCC works to elevate the standard of
living for older adults every day, helping them stay active,
informed, and independent. We offer an integrated suite of programs
and consulting for community colleges, cities, and counties, aimed
at supporting older adults. For this growing population, this means
essential transportation infrastructure, opportunities for
continuing education, safe places to socialize, stay active, and
learn, and solutions-based journalism to civically engaged.
Together, we can work together to empower our communities to be
great places to grow up and grow old.
About West Valley
College
West Valley
College is a public California
Community College, located in Saratoga, CA and is part of the West
Valley-Mission Community College District. The college provides
students with degrees, certificates, and transfer opportunities to
meet the workforce demands of our community. WVC is fully
accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior
Colleges/Western Association of Schools and Colleges. To learn more
about West Valley College, visit:
www.westvalley.edu
Press contacts:
SASCC@greenbrier.partners
Tina.Vossugh@westvalley.edu
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SOURCE Successful Aging Solutions & Community Consulting
(SASCC)