Career Development & Transition Centers at Tri-C

By J.T. Neuffer, Career Development & Transition Specialist

With the national unemployment rate climbing over 10%, the new Career Development and Transition Services at Cuyahoga Community College are reaching out to area residents impacted by the economic recession.  We provide enhanced support services to the unemployed in Northeast Ohio. These much-needed services assist unemployed individuals with career planning and job coaching; skills and interests assessments; education planning to support retraining; appropriate academic and technical training programs; job search preparation; and job placement assistance.
The Career Development and Transition Team is a group of seasoned professionals coaching job seekers to be successful in their job search.  We offer extensive knowledge and work experience in diverse industries such as education, banking/financial services, manufacturing, social services, publishing, consumer products, and not for profit industries.  Our combined backgrounds in human resources (recruiting and employee development), business advisory, professional outplacement services, and career coaching, are an ideal combination to serve as Career Development and Transition Specialists.
Please join us at the Lakewood Collab Meeting on Thursday, August 26 at the Lakewood YMCA on Detroit Avenue from 1:00pm – 2:30pm as we share our successes coaching over 700 job seekers to date and how you can benefit by having a job coach throughout your job search.

And, join us as we launch our September 2010 Workshop Series, Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm at the library:
Sept. 7       Resumes that Get Results
Sept. 14     Develop Your Job Search Plan
Sept. 21     Using your Grapevine
Sept. 28     Ace the Interview.
Tri-C is a member of the nationwide Walmart Brighter Futures Project. Our Career Development and Transition Services are being funded by generous grants from the Cleveland Foundation and The Walmart Foundation.  As a result, these career services are offered to community members in Northeast Ohio at no cost…free of charge.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 866-933-5180

Lakewood Collab Partners with Tri-C

The Lakewood Family Collaborative along with Cuyahoga Community College, Career Development and Transition Services, will be presenting 4 Free Workshops designed to help give job seekers the skills they need to help them on their journey to gaining employment or a new career.

JOB SEEKER TUESDAYS IN SEPTEMBER

THE MAIN LAKEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

9:30AM-12:30PM

September 7^th: Resumes That Gets Results

Understand the purpose of a resume, how to develop an effective resume and review the general guidelines and parts of “resume that Will get results”. Opportunity to put together the initial building blocks of a resume including a summary,. Work history, job responsibilities, and accomplishments.

September 14^th: Developing Your Job Search Plan

Explore the importance of having a Job Search Plan.  Learn about the general guidelines and key parts for an effective Job Search Plan.  You will also have more insight to evaluate your target list or your job search.  Walk out of the session with a strong start in building your Plan!

September 21^st:  Using The Grapevine to Get Results

Learn how to “Use the Grapevine” to get your message out-to get referrals and gain insight into your target market.  This session will help you understand what “networking” is and the role it plays in your job search.  You will also get practical advice on how to break through any resistance to “networking” and learn that “Using the Grapevine” is the most important tool you can use then looking for a job.

September 28^th: Ace That Interview

Review general guidelines to improve your interviewing skills. Gain insight to “behind the scenes” to understand the interview process, types of interviews, overcoming obstacles and avoiding common mistakes.  Practice your interviewing and receive valuable feedback pertaining to your strengths and area for improvement.  Topics to be covers are: Basic Guidelines, Traditional Questions, Behavioral Based Questions and Telephone Interviews.

To Register, contact the Lakewood Family Collaborative at 216-529-6868 or email lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com.  Space may be limited. Registration suggested but not required.  Workshops are free.

Recess Rocks!

On Sunday, September 26^th from 1 – 4pm Recess ROCKS! presented by Jordan’s Family Foundation will turn Lakewood Park into a large playground and feature dozens of energizing activities for kids and families to have fun and play while also learning a bit about healthy living.  This event will give elementary and middle school aged kids an opportunity to commit to better health through games and activities while offering parents a host of new ideas for keeping the whole family healthy.

Recess ROCKS! is part of a national campaign by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to fight childhood obesity, which in turn, can lead to heart disease.  Jordan’s Family Foundation would like Lakewood to be the regional host to this national campaign.   We are estimating approximately 3500 – 4000 children, along with their families, will take part in the fun.

All those in attendance will be given a large menu of options for their day at the “playground” ranging from physical challenges and sports to educational information and nutrition.  We have also added a Dunk Tank to dunk your favorite Lakewood principal, teacher, or School Board Member.  A portion of Lakewood Park will be divided into activity stations where each station provides an opportunity to quickly engage kids in healthy activities while not detracting from the real purpose of the day – playing.   There will also be informational booths set up throughout the event to distribute promotional material about your organization and healthy living.

Ultimately, the goal of Recess ROCKS! is to create a fun environment for families to learn about healthy living and for kids to make a commitment to be healthy while having fun with other kids in the community.

Click Here for Flier.

Adapted Aquatics – Building skills and having fun

Adapted Aquatics at the Achievement Centers for Children is a program designed for children with neurological, developmental and cognitive challenges that teaches them independent swimming and water safety.  Each child receives individualized, progressive instruction that makes learning achievable, sensory integrative and fun.  Children with disabilities can be successfully integrated into traditional swim programs if they are introduced to the water gradually in a quiet setting that enables them to focus, learn and appreciate the joy of swimming.
Adapted Aquatics is offered at the Achievement Centers’ site in Westlake at 24211 Center Ridge Road.  Our Westlake pool is the ideal setting for Adapted Aquatics!  The pool is fully-accessible, 0-3 feet in depth and the water is maintained at a 90 – 92 degree temperature. Parents can observe from the pool deck or the adjacent observation room.
New students begin in an individualized instruction class.  With the recommendation of their instructor, they can transition into small group classes as their swimming skills progress.  The ultimate goal is to build the child’s aquatic and group social skills so they can progress into other more typical community aquatics/learn to swim programs.  Children as young as 9 months can participate in Adapted Aquatics.
Adapted Aquatics helps with:
* improving motor planning skills
* increasing freedom of movement
* building strength and increasing endurance
* relaxing muscles
* socialization with friends, family members and other children

The next upcoming 10 week  Adapted Aquatics sessions are August 16 – October 22 and October 25 – December 31st.  For more information or to register your child, please call 440-250-2520.  You can also find out more at http://www.achievementcenters.org.  Join in the fun for a splashing good time!

Job Seekers Update: Tri-C Offering Free Assistance to Job Seekers

As many of you know, the job seekers workshop was well attended by many looking for support and guidance in their job search.  Out of the 50 or so who attended, 35 filled out surveys which will help the Collab plan future events to help the unemployed in our area.  We hope to be making announcements soon about upcoming workshops; however, if you would like to participate in planning events for job seekers please send an email to lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com.

In addition to Jim Henson (Cuyahoga Public Library Career Center) and Amy Kloss (Instructor at the Lakewood Public Library) helping to facilitate the workshop, Cuyahoga Community College was on hand to provide materials about their free career and job seeking services.  For more information on the Tri-C Key Career Place, contact the director, Stephanie Morales at 216-987-5578, or visit Key Career Place.

Another free source offered by Tri-C is through the Career Development and Transition Centers offered on 3 campuses. For more information on these services or to make an appointment, Click Here.

Don’t forget, the Career Center at the Cuyahoga Library is extensive and offers job clubs, and the Lakewood Public Library which offers a Job Hunting Workshop.