News Release

IWV Campus

Left to Right- 1st row(bottom) Cerro Coso students Celia Delgado, Shelli Covey, Rebecca Howard- 2nd row(top) Deanna Mellor, Katie Barney, Heather Weber

Beating the Odds CalWORKs Workshop

May 7, 2008

The Cerro Coso Community College C.A.R.E. and CalWORKS programs held their annual end of the year workshop to celebrate the success of their students this past academic year. C.A.R.E. and CalWORKS students at Cerro Coso receive "welfare to work" benefits. These students are single or married parents who balance caring for family, working, and going to school with very little money or support. Cerro Coso is proud to provide opportunities to these hardworking students in the form of financial aid, book and transportation grants, childcare, work study opportunities and supportive staff and resources.

Cerro Coso has partnered with local employers to offer our CalWORKS students work study opportunities out in the community. Partnering employers in our community include: Armor Powdercoat, New Directions Technology Inc. (NDTI), Postal Service Plus, Compassionate Doctors, CDMC Consulting, Habitat For Humanity and Sierra Cocktail & Supper Club. Representatives of these employers were invited to lunch and honored with certificates of appreciation. Employers attending included Stephen Smith from Postal Service Plus and Cedri Knight from NDTI.

Linda Lyman (Acupuncturist) Ridgecrest Acupuncturist Center- Linda is applying Avuncular Acupressure Ear Seeds to student Suzanne Masons ears to relieve stress. She applied these seeds to all of the attendees.Cerro Coso serves over 100 students receiving cash aid each semester. Individuals interested in the C.A.R.E. and CalWORKS programs are encouraged to call the Cerro Coso Counseling Center at 384-6219.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230