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Turning Dreams Into Realities
Webster’s Dictionary defines collaboration as “working together in partnerships, particularly in the work of an intellectual nature.” For Northwestern Technical College, Catoosa Citizens for Literacy (CCL) and the Catoosa County School System, this definition is not only understood, but it is carried out.
The vision of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee was to give every resident of the county the opportunity to read, write, and earn a GED diploma. The county, in turn, would create a literate pool of workers from which current and future businesses could draw. The Catoosa Citizens for Literacy emerged from this vision and became a Certified Literate Community Participant in June of 1993.
A Family Literacy Collaborative was formed with CCL, Northwestern Technical College, and Catoosa County Schools, resulting in the Family Literacy program known as “A Better Chance.” The program operates in close conjunction with the Catoosa County Pre-K Council. A needs analysis was conducted which resulted in offering adult learners basic skills, GED, parenting and family budget classes, and a reading program with instructional material.
Presently, the Learning Center hosts GED classes offered by Northwestern Technical College. Parenting classes are held there in collaboration with the Catoosa County School System. Additionally, free childcare is provided by the Learning Center for GED and parenting classes. Volunteer instructors teach a free computer class and conduct an adult reading program as well. An incubator office space in the Learning Center fills the needs of businesses expanding or locating new operations in the Catoosa County area.
The adaptability of the space in the Learning Center has helped fill the need for training and recruiting facilities needed by local employers and Census 2000. In order to fill their employment needs, Census 2000 began testing applicants at the Learning Center in February. New employees started their training at the facility. Beginning in late March, the Learning Center served four weeks as a work site for Census 2000 workers who assisted citizens with census survey questionnaires.
The Learning Center of Catoosa is a multifunctional education facility made available by Catoosa Citizens for Literacy and utilized by a number of organizations. This is what Catoosa citizens consider to be a good use of the word collaboration.
Shirley Smith
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The Catoosa Citizens for Literacy and its partners in the community have committed to providing the highest quality of adult education programs. Providing opportunities for undereducated adults will also provide a better chance for their children and future generations. On March 6, 2000, an open house was held for the Shirley Smith Learning Center of Catoosa at its new facility on the Benton Place Campus. This facility, built with local donations by an Appalachian Regional Commission grant, turned the dreams of Catoosa Citizens for Literacy into a reality.