May 30, 2006

For more information, contact: Kimberly Kreider (901) 333-4023

Southwest Offers Summer PREP Workshops for Single and Displaced Homemakers
Written by Brenda J. Rayner

Southwest’s Professional Re-entry Education Program (PREP) is offering summer workshops for single parents, displaced homemakers and dislocated workers who have the potential to succeed in a post-secondary institution, but may lack the initial financial resources to get started or the motivation to attend.

PREP is a free, six-week enrollment preparation/career counseling program, designed to
aid with motivation toward achieving career goals. The program includes: workshops on college life, positive imaging, career options, stress management, assertiveness techniques, employability skills training, money management, time management, goal-setting, and related topics.

The Summer PREP is Free, offering:

• A six-week enrollment preparation/career counseling class.

• Assistance in applying for federal aid and scholarships.

• An on-going counseling relationship between participant and PREP counselors, and the base for a support group that will make the return to work and/or school easier.

• Child care assistance for children ages15 months through 12 years, as space allows.

• Participants (completing the six-week career counseling workshops) with a financial need, the option to borrow textbooks from the PREP library, upon availability, at Southwest.

Dates for the Next Class Cycle:

Day and evening classes: June 19 – August 1, 2006
Orientations: June 5 – June 8, 2006

PREP will be offered at the Union Avenue and Macon Cove Campuses. Anyone interested in
participating in the summer workshops should call the PREP office at (901) 333-5342 to schedule a
group orientation.