Living proof
Two SCSEP participants accompanied SSAI’s executive director Tony Sarmiento Tuesday to the Senate subcommittee hearing on Title V of the Older Americans Act. They are Carrie Morris, 72, a participant in the Baltimore City Health Department’s SCSEP project since 2001, and Victoria Gill, 66, a participant since 2002 in the Family and Children Services of Central Maryland SCSEP project.
Also accompanying Sarmiento were project directors Flora Daughtry of BCHD and Kathryn Damico of FCS, along with Cathy Stasny, unit manager for Prince George's County Area Agency on Aging, Volunteer Services and Nutrition Unit. All three organizations have been affiliated with SSAI for more than 20 years.
Ms. Gill and Ms. Morris, who work part-time in host agency assignments, are among 16 participants in a pilot GED initiative, which was launched earlier this year by SSAI in partnership with the privately owned Learning Bank in Baltimore City. "I feel better about myself and have more self-confidence since enrolling in the GED program," Ms. Gill said. Both Ms. Gill, who left high school in her junior year, and Ms. Morris, who left in her senior year, turned to SCSEP after they lost their jobs in the private sector when illness intervened.
“You are living proof we can have jobs and training without having to change the law,” Sarmiento told Ms. Morris and Ms. Gill.
The GED pilot program was designed to jump start opportunity for SCSEP participants and help improve lives through education and employment.