MILWAUKEE — As part of our continuing reports The Rebound Milwaukee, we are sharing resources you can use to manage the pressure of school.
The YWCA seamlessly moved its adult education program online. TMJ4 spoke to one woman who’s life it has changed.
Three months ago, we met with Bertha Nance at a tipping point in her life: She is 60 and in debt, “I’m at $4,000.”
Nance has learned from the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin’s Credit Coaching Program how to get back on track and raise her credit score, “She is really a godsend I tell you, because I didn’t know that I could freeze my credit,”
Since then, workers identified she needed to complete her GED to continue to succeed.
“Real life is connected and that’s what our role is,” said Ginny Finn, President and CEO of YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.
The pandemic did not stop classes a single day. All 70 students including Bertha Nance moved online. Nance adds, “I’m working super hard. I’m talking super hard. I have the tablet up and the computer going back from the computer to the tablet my brain is on overload, but I’m doing it I’m still in it.”
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The YWCA qualified for a $27,000 grant through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to provide students like Nance with a working home computer.
Bertha will graduate in December and says she’s on track thanks to YWCA.
Leaders plan to keep the GED program going.
“Whatever the new normal looks like, many people will be better prepared for it,” said Jennifer de Montmollin, chief program officer with YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.
YWCA’s next GED program starts May 11. If you would like to sign up, click here. From there, you can fill out an interest form and a staff member will reach out to you.
YWCA SEW also created a support line to help connect you with resources: (414) 267-2400.