Job Skills Training

As the WCA strives to empower its clients on their path to healing, we could not do it without assistance from the Susan P. Sherlock Scholarship Fund.

The Sherlock Fund, which has served WCA clients for 12 years, provides vocational training and scholarships for clients attending skills-based training with either Create Common Good or Usful Glassworks. Clients gain skills, and are awarded scholarships as they successfully complete each phase of the training program.

Clients become eligible to participate in one of the two programs through referral bytheir Case Manager. They have graduated from the Financial Literacy Course, and have completed the scholarship application. Each client is then interviewed by Bev La Chance, WCA Deputy Director.

“The program provides assistance to women who desire additional skills or vocational training in order to gain employment which will allow them to support themselves and their children,” said Amy Howard, Case Manager.

Create Common Good is a program focused on cultivating culinary skills guided by a professional chef. Usful Glassworks is also a job training program, teaching participants how to create new products out of used glass bottles. As clients successfully reach goals specific to each training program, they earn their stipends. This work experience enables clients to obtain the

tools and, the self-confidence they need as they head into the workforce. Many of the clients who have graduated from the Sherlock Training Scholarship program have since obtained employment, and some clients are hired for full-time employment before they even complete all phases.

“The individuals who have had the opportunity to participate through the Sherlock Scholarship gain confidence in their personal ability to excel in an environment where they are continually putting their skills to use,” Howard said. “I have also seen individuals strengthen their communication skills, and build positive work qualities.”