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August 2010
Tri-Town Community Action Agency
Holds Celebration for Forty-two GED Graduates.


2010Class_GED

Proud students and their families gathered at Tri-Town Community Action Agency's newly acquired Boys and Girls Center in North Providence (formerly the Boys & Girls Club) to celebrate attainment of the students' GED high school equivalency diplomas after months, and sometimes a year or more, of studying reading, math, social studies, science, and writing.

Frank Caprio addresses the crowdThe ceremony was attended by over 100 people, including North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi; Kristen Connors (Education Representative to Congressman James Langevin); RI State Treasurer and Gubernatorial candidate, Frank Caprio; and Tri-Town CEO, Joseph DeSantis.

One of the highlights of the day was an emotional speech delivered by Class Valedictorian, Susan Lusigan, who spoke of the obstacles she faced during her senior year of high school which led to her eventual dropping out.  Susan spoke of her plans to continue with her education now that she has successfully obtained her GED.

Mayor LombardiMayor Lombardi addressed the crowd and praised Tri-Town for "stepping up to the plate" and filling the gap left in the community by the closing of the Boys and Girls Club.  The Mayor promised his full support for the future Tri-Town center, which will be geared toward helping at risk youth improve all aspects of their lives including academics, employment skills, fitness,  recreation, arts, financial literacy, and personal development skills.  The Center will also act as a satellite office for many of Tri-Town's supportive services programs such as Fuel and Housing Assistance, Food Stamp Applications, and Income Tax preparation.

Joseph DeSantis addresses the crowdDuring the ceremony, Joseph DeSantis congratulated the graduates and encouraged them believe in themselves and to use their new GEDs to not only"advance your future educational goals or careers, but also to help put yourself and your community in a better place".

"We are extremely pleased with our students and the quality of the instruction they have received." noted Mr. DeSantis.  Ninety-seven percent of this year's "senior class" successfully obtained their GED. That success represents over double the minimum requirement set by the RI Department of Education for GED preparation programs.

Most Tri-Town GED students are part of the agency's Youth Links program where they have also received career exploration/counseling, work readiness training, job preparation assistance, and post secondary education awareness.


The Fall Semester of GED classes is set to begin on September 13 and is already at full enrollment.  Tri-Town expects to serve over 150 youth during the 2010-2011 academic year.

For information on enrolling in GED courses at Tri-Town, please contact Jamie Sisto, YouthLinks Case Manager at (401) 519-1929, or email at [email protected].

 
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 Thank you.
 
Joseph R. DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer
1126 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
401-351-2750   Fax 401-351-6611