 Adult Education Center & Ketchikan Resource Center Hold Open Houses Story & photos by Gigi Pilcher November 15, 2002
Ketchikan Adult Education Center The Ketchikan Adult Education
Center which was previously located at the Plaza Mall relocated
to a new area - suite 223 - at The Plaza. This suite was previously
occupied by the Ketchikan Resource Center. 
Bonnie Bonne' said of the move, "Everyone likes it." Mike Doyle commented on the new location saying, " it's smaller but everyone thinks it's bigger because of the great lay out." Staff member Dan Hill, who moved to Ketchikan in April from Indiana, teaches English as a second language and administers the GED exam. He is also responsible for community outreach and for volunteer tutor recruitment. Hill said that in addition to the regular programs the Center offers, they have added new programs to the existing classes. "We continue to offer assistance with General Education Development and provide the exam for obtaining your certificate (GED), teach English as a second language (ESL), offer Adult Basic Education, Resume Building, Job Retention Skills, and Community Computer Education. We have added new programs such as the Alaska Vocational Institute which offers Office /Computer Skills Training and the Workforce Investment Act which is retraining for jobs," said Hill. Hill added that the Adult Education Center is looking for volunteers for tutoring. For more information about the Ketchikan Adult Education Center, classes offered or to volunteer, contact Dan Hill at 225-5250 or e-mail danhill@serrc.org. The Ketchikan Adult Education Center has provided adult education services in Ketchikan for over 20 years. The Center is under the umbrella of the Southeast Regional Resource Center (SERRC) which is headquartered in Juneau. Jo Ann Henderson is the Executive Director of SERRC and Cheryl Weinberg is the Associate Director of SERRC. Both Henderson and Weinberg are former Ketchikan residents. In addition to the Ketchikan Adult Education Center, the Ketchikan Youth Court is also under the umbrella of SERRC. For more information about SERRC, visit the SERRC web site.
Ketchikan Resource Center & ORCA The Ketchikan Resource Center (KRC), also held an open house in its new third floor location at the Westflight Building, Suite 302 Thursday afternoon. The new KRC location offers a stunning view of the Tongass Narrows. The Ketchikan Resource Center was previously located at The Plaza in the area which is now occupied by the Adult Education Center. The Ketchikan Resource Center
also provides office space for the ORCA Parenting Program with
both programs moving to the new location in mid-August; however,
the open house was delayed until construction was completed.
Ketchikan Resource Center Receptionist Jessica Stone
Monrean said that the focus of the Resource Center has shifted in the past two years to concentrate on providing primary prevention services to young and new families by providing assistance through education, support, and resources. Many of the services are now provided to families in their own homes but other services are still available in the Center. Center receptionist Jessica Stone invited the community to "come on in and check out our view". Artwork adds to the décor of the Center and Carol Carines has provided the artwork on display as a courtesy. Carines was on hand at the open house and said of the Center "It's a lovely place to volunteer." Carines serves as a member of the board of directors of Women In Safe Homes, which is the umbrella agency for both the Resource Center and the ORCA Parenting Program. The ORCA Parenting Program which is also housed in the same location as the Resource Center, provides individual, group, and in-home parenting education and assistance. Both programs are funded through grants from the Division of Family and Youth Services. The Center also receives additional funding from, the City of Ketchikan. For more information about the Ketchikan Resource Center or the ORCA program or to volunteer, call 247-5767 or e-mail the Ketchikan Resource Center. Additional information is also on the Women In Safe Homes web site. The Ketchikan Resource staff and volunteers will be at the Winter Arts Faire on Friday, November 29, 2002, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to provide children's art activities while parents' shop at the Faire.
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