SF College's Educational Opportunity Center helps residents with free job skills training
Those who are willing to become more competitive in the job market and enhance their skills have an opportunity to do so with the help of an academic coach free of charge.
SF College Educational Opportunity Center
Santa Fe College’s TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a mobile team of advisors that provide free assistance and resources to adults interested in continuing their education.
The center is located at 520 NW Fifth Ave. in Room DC-118 in one of the buildings that comprise the downtown Gainesville campus of SF College.
Center opened in fall of 2021
The EOC began in September of 2021, said Andrea Mender, interim director of TRIO programs at SF College.
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Who does center serves?
“The people who think that college is not for them — we’re here to say that they can do it and make it a reality,” Mender said.
TRIO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mender said the online application can be accessed at sfcollege.edu/eoc.
Primary goal of program
The primary goal of the EOC, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is to assist adults with GED completion, applying for college degree, certification and accredited trade programs, Mender said.
Although housed at the Santa Fe College Blount Center in downtown Gainesville, participants are not required to enroll in programs at SF College.
The program helps residents in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist and Union counties.
The goal is to provide assistance with accessible educational programs locally for each of the counties mentioned above through partnerships with several state colleges, GED and trade programs.
“The process is dependent on what their needs are,” Mender said. “We meet to answer their questions, point them to the resources they need and follow up with them.”
The center helps people who are striving for a better life and are struggling with homelessness, food insecurity, low computer skills and other issues, Mender said.
“Our goal is to help them get assistance in an accredited program and help them get a job with long-term backing,” Mender said.
Staff is committed to participants
Shanita Dunmore, an academic coach with the center, has been helping people with their future in the program for six months.
“When I see a light bulb go off during our meetings, that gives me satisfaction,” Dunmore said.
Center has helped around 1,000 people
The center has helped around 1,000 people since 2021, and her goal this year is to help at lest 850 people, Dunmore said..
“I love sharing information with people who wouldn’t otherwise know about the opportunity,” Dunmore said.
Staff points participants in right direction
Kimberly Mayze contacted the EOC in March and was directed to get in touch with Dunmore.
“She pointed me in the right direction and knew the resources and contacts,” Mayze said. “When I felt like giving up, she (Dunmore) pushed me and encouraged me to get back on track.”
Mayze said she is grateful to have Dunmore guide her on the best path to complete her nursing degree at SF College.
“I love helping people heal,” Mayze said. “Nursing is like social work. An example is like how she (Dunmore) nurtures people through her work.”
A caring staff
Mayze said the staff has stayed in touch with her during the process.
“They really do care,” Mayze said. “If they don’t hear from me in a while, they will call and email me. They want the best for you.”
“Their services have lifted a big weight off of me,” Mayze said. “They help me be the greatest I can be and push me to my fullest potential.”
For more information about the program, call 352-381-7228 or email eoc@sfcollege.edu.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Free education advice available in Gainesville at SF College for adults
