E2 Program (Education + Employment)
| Jennifer Maddox, left, executive director of the Northeast Alabama Community Foundation, and Fred Smith, director of Grants and Partnerships, are pictured with the first class of E2 Program students at Gadsden State. |
Gadsden, Ala. - Five mothers received a wonderful gift when they learned that the Northeast Alabama Community Foundation partnered with Gadsden State Community College to give them an educational opportunity and support as parents in an effort to break the cycle of poverty. They were recognized during a press conference Sept. 17 in the One Stop Center on the East Broad Campus.
The E2 Program (Education + Employment) is a two-generational strategy that focuses on both the children and the parents to provide educational and employment opportunities that lead to long-term financial stability above the poverty level. Participants must be at least 18 years old and have at least one child 5 years old or younger.
The program provides higher education opportunities that lead to associate degrees and short- or long-term certificates. Programs through Gadsden State’s Skills Training Division are also available to E2 participants.
In addition to Gadsden State providing postsecondary education, other community organizations are involved in the E2 Program.
Partners include:
• East AlabamaWorks – Employment pathways
• Gadsden-Etowah County Head Start – Early childhood education
• Family Success Center – Early childhood education, counseling and economic support
• United Way of Etowah County – Volunteer opportunities (social capital)
• Etowah County Rural Transportation – Transportation
• Gadsden Career Center – Employment pathways
• YMCA of Coosa Valley – Health and wellbeing
• Gadsden City Schools – Student participants
• Alabama Teachers Credit Union – Financial literacy
All five members of the first E2 Program class are seeking an Associate in Applied Science degrees.
Students are:
• Edna Jean Brown
• Eulalia Francisco
• Quintantilia Hill
• Kiara Knight
• Darian Watson
