COVINGTON, Ky. — A center in northern Kentucky that opened five years ago with the goal of helping others is expanding its operations.
The Life Learning Center in Covington has held classes since 2006 to help people find work. Now, the center is offering training sessions on dealing with physical, psychological and emotion barriers to employment.
Executive Director Denise Govan told The Kentucky Enquirer that the new classes also will cover issues such as health and exercise, reducing anxiety and finding reliable transportation (http://bit.ly/y32Aow).
Supporters say the center, which offers its services for free, helps the "at risk" population make better choices and helps them find and keep jobs.
"What we intend is not a quick fix, or a Band-Aid," Govan said. "Only those who truly want permanent transformational change in their lives will be accepted to the Life Learning Center programs. They must be willing to make a long term commitment to us and to themselves."
The center, which is funded by the United Way, was the brainchild of Corporex Companies' chairman Bill Butler, who is still involved with the program and remains a major contributor.
Executive Director Denise Govan told The Kentucky Enquirer that the new classes also will cover issues such as good practices with health and exercise, reducing anxiety and finding reliable transportation.
Govan said 61 percent of people who graduate from classes that include education and job search training are still employed more than a year later.
She said more than 700 people have successfully finished the program called "Working Toward A Better Life." However, she said many who sought the service wanted more.
"Individuals told us that they wanted the tools to basically learn how to live," she said. "... So we built this curriculum that complements the employment program."
Now, clients will start training with "Foundations For a Better Life," which will be followed with a 13-week course called "Pillars of Life" and end with "Working Toward a Better Life."
In addition to the added curriculum, the center plans to move to a permanent location.
"Our ultimate mission is simple — transformational change, self-sufficiency, dignity, then ... contributions to others by the graduates themselves," Butler said.
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Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com