Community Adult Education Program

New York City

2015-2019

I had the honor of designing, launching, and directing a community adult education program.

My colleagues at Equality and I realized that the Bronx, NY, community was faced with economically stifling challenges:

  • Unemployment

  • Uncompleted High School Diplomas

  • Health challenges (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension)

  • Economic challenges

After realizing the challenges that plagued the community, my community, I took on the challenge to build a community program model which impacted +500 residents within 4 years.

Quality Programs through Community Partnerships

To bring high-quality programs to my home community, I partnered with top-performing and notable organizations. Programs offered were:

  • High School Diploma (TASC Preparation): CUNY Bronx Community College

  • Financial Literacy: TD Bank and Paula McLarren Bookkeeping Services

  • Teacher Certification (ALST/EAS): Touro College and CUNY Lehman College

  • Fitness & Facts: YMCA and Wukkout

    • A fitness class combined with a nutrition workshop

  • Computer Literacy: Office of the Bronx Borough President and the New York Public Library

  • Positive Parenting: Boystown

  • Supporting Teen Health and Relationships: Mount Sinai Hospital

Featured Successes

  • +500 families impacted through one or more of the programs

  • Recognized by United States Congressman Eliot Engel, NYC Council, and Senator Jamaal Bailey

  • Computer Literacy: 85% skill proficiencies in keyboarding and navigating the operating system

  • Computer Literacy: 95% knowledge proficiency in navigating and utilizing the internet for personal use (i.e., accessing medical insurance information and general research)

Errol Olton