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2008 State of the City Address

State of the City Response -

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Westchester Community College’s “Project Transition” Celebrates 20th Anniversary

First-Ever Reunion of Graduates Set for May 7

Valhalla, NY (April 2008) Westchester Communi ty College’s “Project Transition,” a Center for Retraining, is reaching a milestone this year, celebrating 20 years of helping women to develop the skills needed for today’s workforce. A special first-ever reunion is scheduled for May 7 , beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Westchester Communi ty College in the Facul ty Dining Room.

Since 1987, Project Transition has provided services to displaced homemakers who are divorced, widowed, separated, single parents, or whose spouses have become disabled or unemployed. Over the past 20 years, Project Transition has helped more than 8,000 displaced homemakers from Westchester and Putnam counties gain marketable skills to enter, or re-enter the local workforce.

“We’ve never brought all of these graduates together before, and it will be very exciting to see how their lives have been enriched, “ said Mia Fienemann, Director of Project Transition. Ms. Fienemann, who has directed the project for the past six years, brings more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management, program development and training to the program.

Funded by the New York State Department of Labor Office of Workforce Development, Project Transition provides free six-week programs to those who meet eligibili ty requirements as well as prerequisites for training programs. Some of the services Project Transition provides include computer software training, career decision counseling, skills assessment, work readiness coaching, confidence building, and job search and placement.

Classes meet five days a week, and include the most up-to-date computer software as well as the latest career and marketing strategies. There are two instructors, a computer trainer and a career counselor, and students receive 80 hours of computer training, and 18 hours of career strategy planning. “The group dynamics are extraordinary,” added Fienemann. “Before enrolling in our training, these women have been coping with their loss alone, but once they’re in these classes, they realize that they’re all in this together and the group interaction creates a lasting bonding experience for them.” After graduation, students meet with a job developer/coach on an individualized job search strategy, and the job developer helps them to find suitable employment.

Project Transition students range in age from 21 to 68. “We’re starting to see more of an older population, as a result of mergers and layoffs,” said Fienemann. “Sometimes, it’s difficult for these women to find positions, but all of our instructors are very caring, and our goal is to get everyone back on their feet.” The program also includes mock job interviews with people from the business communi ty, as well as contacts with local employment agencies to help with job placement.

Graduates of the program have found positions in information technology, media, communications, higher education, health care, law practices, retail and many other areas.

With approximately 24,000 credit and non-credit students, Westchester Communi ty College is the largest college in Westchester Coun ty and is consistently the number one college choice of high school graduates in the Coun ty. Westchester Communi ty College is dedicated to the belief that growth and adaptation through educational experience are possible for individuals at all stages of development. The goal of the college is to be accessible, adaptable, and dedicated to lifelong learning while sensitive to the individual needs of our diverse population. Westchester Communi ty College Foundation, a 501-C3 not-for-profit corporation, is the fund-raising arm of the college.

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New York's Libraries Celebrate National Library Week

Both the Best and Worst of Times for Libraries

ALBANY, NY (04/14/2008; 0935)(readMedia)-- ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York Library Association (NYLA) today announced the kick-off of National Library Week, April 13-19, with several library awareness activities including a public service announcement and local library events.

This year’s National Library Week theme is “Join the circle of knowledge at your library.” All types of libraries participate in the celebration including school, public, college and special libraries.

This year’s National Library Week honorary chair is Julie Andrews, known for her roles in such classic movies as “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins.” In her role as chair, Andrews has produced a series of television and radio Public Service Announcements for National Library Week, which are available at http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/andrews.htm.

“As author Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, this is both the best of times and the worst of times, at least for libraries as we celebrate National Library Week and the increase in library use, while at the same time state and local governments are cutting funding for libraries”, said Michael J. Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association.

Both in the recently adopted State Budget and in the NYC budget proposed by Mayor Bloomberg, funding for libraries is on the chopping block. State aid to libraries was cut by $2 million and Mayor Bloomberg is proposing a 5% to 8% reduction in funding for city libraries.

This is despite continued increases in visits to libraries growing from 101 million in 2000 to 109 million in 2006. and despite research that show a correlation between tough economic times and increased library use. Studies commissioned by the American Library Association in the past have demonstrated a clear connection between an economic decline and an increase in public library use. One five-year study released in April of 2002, saw a match between circulation increases at 25 of the nation’s largest public libraries and time periods labeled “recessions” by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Borges continued: “When times are tough, people tend to rely more on their libraries for free materials and services they might otherwise pay for and that’s why library funding is so important this year. That advocacy message will be something we continue to talk about, not only during National Library Week, but also throughout the year. While New Yorkers support libraries in overwhelming numbers, we need to ensure that our State and local leaders share that support.”

Borges went on to say that a January Zogby poll showed that a majority of New Yorkers support continued increases in state aid for libraries despite uncertain economic times. “In fact, 82 percent of New Yorkers support more state funding for libraries to purchase new and accurate reading and research materials,” he said.

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Mayor Joseph Delfino, American Diabetes Association  And Hospital Officials “Sound the Alert”  About Dangers of Diabetes

White Plains Hospital Center hosted a press conference in conjunction with the White Plains Mayor’s office and the American Diabetes Association on Diabetes Alert Day to ‘sound the alert’ and call to action about the dangers of diabetes and the importance of taking the Diabetes Risk Test. The Hospital held a Diabetes Alert Day health fair at the same location after the press conference.


The White Plains City Hall "painted red" in conjunction with Diabetes Alert Day May 25th.