Women United Signature Project - The Literacy Center

In the spirit of supporting women throughout the Lehigh Valley, Women United looks forward to its continued partnership with The Literacy Center as a funded signature project in the year ahead. Women United member’s generous philanthropy will allow the Women’s Administrative Professional Job Training Program to continue, helping twenty women from the community find employment as administrative professionals.

Since 1977, The Literacy Center (TLC) has been providing educational programs that help Lehigh Valley residents improve their literacy skills. During the past 43 years, over 30,000 adults in the Lehigh Valley have benefitted from TLC’s programs, which are dedicated to high-quality, neighborhood-based literacy education. TLC’s Administrative Professional Job Training Program has been offered for the past year and a half and assisted 32 graduates within a year.

Women United reflects on the understanding that we do not all have the same opportunities. There exists a clear need for educational training programs for many low-income, under-trained women in our Lehigh Valley community.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 6,100 Allentown residents have less than a 9^th grade education and 21.4% of Allentown residents aged 25 and older do not have a high school diploma (2019). Additionally, the number one occupation type in the Lehigh Valley (14%) is office and administrative support occupations (U.S. Census Bureau 2012-2016).

TLC’s job training program directly addresses the need for more administrative professionals in the Lehigh Valley by providing job training to under-employed, low-income women in an industry in high demand locally, ensuring solid opportunities for job success. The likelihood of gained employment outcomes is great. TLC’s program also removes the barrier a potential employer might see in hiring an under-trained employee and alleviates overall training costs for area’s businesses.

“I have learned more than expected and discovered many qualities and abilities of myself,” said a student who graduated in TLC’s spring cohort. “The staff are extremely knowledgeable and very professional and supportive.”

                                      

The six-week training program is scheduled to begin on September 28^th, and TLC has already started the recruiting process. With the support of Women United’s philanthropic leaders, TLC will offer the training program at no cost to participants. Women will be well prepared for administrative office positions such as office managers, executive and administrative assistants, coordinators, receptionists, and other support positions with local businesses, organizations, and agencies.

TLC is actively recruiting volunteers in outreach capacities to encourage more students and business partners for the training program. Interested individuals may contact Kristen Walsh, Director of Development, via email.
By developing our regional workforce, we not only help lift individuals out of poverty and provide them with a better future, we also enhance our regional economy!

Interested in joining Women United? Please contact Madeline Falcone.