From left: Matthias Hauck (CBI Instructor), Jill Petitti (Principal), Melanie Larkins, Robin Kleister, Hannah Rogers.

May 15, 2012 -- Melanie Larkins, Director of The Child Garden in Grafton, recently received the "Partnership of the Year" award from the Ohio Department of Education.

Larkins gave two Midview students an opportunity to shadow preschool teachers working at the learning center. Students Robin Kleister and Hannah Rogers each spent 30 hours experiencing and observing what it's like to work in the field of early childhood education. Both students are enrolled in the JVS Career-Based Intervention Program (CBI).

CBI instructor Matthias Hauck nominated Larkins for this award.
"It's community partners like The Child Garden that make our CBI program and our students successful," commented Hauck. "We are so pleased to have Melanie Larkins and The Child Garden as a resource for our students. I thank Melanie for having such a positive impact on both of these students."

A plaque, which was presented to Larkins by JVS Principal Jill Petitti read, "To congratulate and to thank you for the leadership and service you have given to your Career-Based Intervention Program students, and for the example you have set for others."

May 7, 2012 -- The Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center has released its summer programs to provide increased training options and valuable certification for Lorain County residents as the job market improves in northeast Ohio.

"Our organization has seen a definite uptick in job orders this year, most notably in the areas of manufacturing and health care," says Director Chris Fletcher. "As an organization committed to providing a skilled workforce to our business and industry partners, we felt it was important to provide additional opportunities to help Lorain County residents connect to today's in-demand jobs."

The goal for all summer programs is to help Lorain County residents get a jump start on today's job market, and to prepare for full-time fall career development courses at the JVS Adult Career Center. Courses include Basic Machining and CNC, Basic Electricity, Sign Language, Conversational Spanish, STNA, QuickBooks, and Intro to PLC's. Courses to strengthen Math and Computer Skills are also offered to help individuals who have been out of the classroom for some time. Free GED classes are available during both day and evening hours, and online courses for educators are available for graduate credit through Ashland University.

"We want to help our students succeed both in our school and in the job market," says Fletcher. "We pride ourselves in being student-focused, and we work hard to accomplish this not only through expanding course offerings, but through small classes, financial aid, and local business support. We're committed to doing our part to strengthen Lorain County."

Registration is now open for summer classes. Students may register online here or contact the Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center at 440-774-1051 ext. 2254.