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MARCH 2004

The Grace Institute: Helping Underserved Women
by Sarah N. Lynch

When Carolina first came to the United States about 13 years ago, she had a lot going for her: she could speak four languages and she held a BA in journalism. But despite these skills, there was something missing: she had never used a computer before in her life.

"In this economy and in this information technology era that weÕre in right now, everything is computerized," Carolina said. "If you don't have the knowledge, you're going to be left behind."

Because Carolina was having a tough time paying the bills and did not have the computer skills to get a higher-paying job, she applied for admission to the Grace Institute–a non-profit organization that helps the underserved women of New York by providing them with the job training skills.

Founded in 1897, the Grace Institute offers tuition-free administrative assistant programs during both the day and the evening. Students spend nine months taking courses in keyboarding, computers, business English, business math and office procedures.  Upon completion of these requirements, the Grace Institute helps its students to obtain full-time employment with many top banking and law firms. About 300 of 1,000 applicants are accepted each year, and the average class size ranges between 20--25 students.

"Our mission–has been to train our students in computer and business skills to prepare them for the working world as well as for self-sufficiency and an improved quality of life," said Noreen Haider, an admissions manager at the Grace Institute.

"We stimulate a learning environment and an office environment so our students are prepared to be the best employees that the Grace Institute can make them."

Carolina said she's impressed with both the teachers and classroom environment at the Grace Institute.

"I believe it's a fountain of knowledge and I'm really thirsty," she said with a laugh. "I'm really dying to get in there and get every little bit I can."

"It's so well-done the way they prepare women from the beginning to the end, from punctuality or dressing nice in a business setting to how to portray an interview."

In order to qualify for admission, women must have a GED or a high school diploma, be a US. Citizen or resident, be fluent in English and be able to demonstrate a financial need. Women who apply to the program must fill out an application and undergo an interview.

Erika Flores, a student at Barnard College, has been working at the Grace Institute since the summer. Part of her job involves conducting interviews with prospective students, and she said that they receive a wide range of women from all ages and backgrounds. "Most of the women who come to the program are African American and Latino women who live in the projects and are trying to get their life together," Flores said. "You'd be really surprised who comes there and even when you meet them, they don't look like they need help, but when they tell you their story and they tell you they've been caring for a sick mother half their life and they don't know how to use a computer, it means they need skills and they need our help."

Flores said her experience at an all-girls college really influenced her desire to work at the Grace Institute.

"I thought it was up my alley, being that I go to an all-women's college, and being a woman and feeling that it's important to empower women," she said. "I went there with the idea–that it would be great to help them realize that there's a better life out there and there are possibilities and opportunities."

Every March, the Grace Institute begins recruiting for new students. This year, the organization will also be holding its annual open house from 10am-4pm on March 24. "It's an opportunity to learn skills and receive job placement for free, and when I find women I know have been struggling, I really try to show them the opportunity of what we're offering them," Haider said.

Carolina said the best advice she can give to women interested in applying is to be sincere. "They should insist with the person that interviews them that they really need this," she said. "And that you're willing to learn and once you get there, make sure that you study because it's not an easy course and you have to be very determined."#

For more information, visit www.graceinstitute.org or call (212) 832-7605.

 

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