Thank You to everyone who donated to our 2024 Match Madness Campaign!
Donations made to Employment Skills Center in March are matched through The Partnership for Better Health’s Match Madness Campaign. The first $1,500 of funds raised is matched dollar for dollar with a proportionate match made for all additional funds raised!
This year’s goal was to raise $10,000 for the Jerry Eby Memorial Fund! Jerry Eby was a longtime member of our Board of Directors and an incredible proponent of adult education. All funds raised will help support students who wish to enroll in training programs at ESC as well as scholarships for students whose goal is to pursue post-secondary education. Two recipients of the Memorial scholarship will be announced at a graduation ceremony in November.
For 57 years, Employment Skills Center has served the community by providing adult education and training programs and services free of charge. These programs empower our students to improve their job skills, gain employment, earn better wages, and enter vocational training and post-secondary education.
“After I came to the US as an adult, I struggled to be a part of the community because of my heavy accent and poor reading comprehension. Thanks to the generous support of my ESL tutor, I have been able to proceed with the GED program since 2022. I still have a long way to go to pursue my goals, but now I am more confident that I am in the right direction.” – Naoko
We are grateful for the generosity and support provided by the Partnership for Better Health, M&T Bank, WellSpan Health, The Josiah W. and Bessie H. Kline Foundation, Penn State Health and Highmark.
Community Impact
“Jobs today are changing faster than ever. The Employment Skills Center plays a pivotal role in helping local residents discover, apply and position themselves within vibrant careers that offer expansive room for growth and advancement. Year upon year, we’ve invested in their outstanding Nurse Aide Training program because we know their hardworking students are benefiting from a fresh start and needed income. When it comes to delivering quality health care to members of our community, they’re an incredible asset.”
Becca Raley, Executive Director, Partnership for Better Health
“The Employment Skills Center is a community gem. Its educational and career development services truly transform lives. The Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority partnered with the Center in offering Environmental Technician training with a grant from the EPA. We could not be more pleased with the results. Participants have gone from low-wage, low-skill jobs to family sustaining jobs with a bright future thanks to the training and job placement support of the Center.”
Tim Whelan, Executive Director, Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority
“Employment Skills Center gives individuals who may have struggled in school a second chance at success by teaching adults to learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use computers in their adult learning programs. The results are life changing as adults are able to lift themselves and their families out of poverty with increased skills and greater access to higher paying jobs. Employment Skills Center also offers English as a Second Language classes which help individuals improve English skills, gain citizenship skills, improve reading and writing levels, and get more involved in the community.”
Lucy Zander, Executive Director, United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County