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Services To Refugees In Vocational Education

STRIVE (Services To Refugees In Vocational Education)
Project STRIVE is a part of Collier County Public Schools and its office is located at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology.

Who is Eligible?  

  • Refugees
  • Asylees (Cuban/Haitian “entrants”)
  • Ameriasians
  • Certain victims of human trafficking
  • Legal permanent residents who previously held one of the above statuses and have been in the country less than 5 years

Services

  • Testing Services are provided to help place students appropriately in English classes, GED, or Job training programs.
  • Career Counseling is available to guide students through the educational process and help them make decisions about appropriate classes.
  • Evaluation of Transcripts/Diplomas is a service offered to students needing their educational credentials from their home country translated and evaluated.
  • ELL (English Language Learner) classes are available for students needing to improve the listening/speaking and reading/writing skills in English. Both day and evening classes are available.
  • ABE/GED/VPI classes are remediation classes to help students improve their reading, math and language abilities in order to take the GED test, be successful in an occupational training course, or simply to improve their skills.
  • Job Training Program courses are offered though Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology. Each course has its own scheduled start date and end date.
  • Referrals to employment services, childcare services, and other social services are provided on an “as needed basis”.

Attendance & Absences 

  • Withdrawal procedures should be started for students who accumulate six (6) consecutive absences. The reasons for the absences are not relevant to this policy; an absence is an absence.
  • Project Strive will not pay the tuition of vocational classes on behalf of students failing to maintain 80% attendance.
  • Students enrolled in vocational classes must adhere to the attendance policy set by Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology.

Withdrawal

If for any reason you can longer attend classes as scheduled, notify the Strive counselor (239-377-0975).

Staff
Project STRIVE staff are available to assist students in English, Spanish French and Haitian Creole. For assistance in other languages, a translation service funded by the Department of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Services is utilized.

Office Location
The office is located in Building One on the campus of Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology.

Office Hours

Day: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Evening: Tuesday/Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS? 

How many English levels do you have?  
We have 6 levels of English that a student can progress through. To move up, students must demonstrate progress by taking CASAS at the end of each 9/10 week session.

How long will it take to complete all the levels?  
Students progress at different rates. How long it takes a student to complete all 6 levels depends on many factors including prior educational experiences, class attendance, how frequently English is used at home and at work, time spent studying at home, etc.

If I do not finish all six levels, can I study a program at LWIT? 
The majority of the programs such as LPN or auto mechanics have certain requirements that an applicant has to meet, including proficiency in reading, language and mathematics. In many cases you have to take an exam called TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education). For questions regarding individual program requirements, the Strive counselor can answer your questions.

Where do English classes meet?
There are both day and evening classes available at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology. Evening classes are also available at Barron Collier High School, Lely High School, Golden Gate High School and Gulf Coast High School and Immokalee Technical Center.

I already have a High School diploma; why do I need to go to the GED lab?
Although most people call it the “GED lab” it is a misleading name. Students go to the “GED lab” if they need to improve reading, writing and mathematics skills. Some students need to improve their skills so they can be successful in studying a career such as nursing, auto mechanics, administrative assistant, etc. Others simply want to improve their language, math or reading skills in English.

In my country, I attained a high school diploma; do I have to take the GED test to get a diploma from United States?
Not necessarily; it all depends on the country and how the high school requirements from the native country compare to the requirement in the United States. If you have any doubts, see the Strive counselor.

I want to attend college, can Project Strive pay for my classes?
Although college is another choice for students interested in putting a career, Project STRIVE does not have the resources to help you pay for classes. Colleges have financial aid staff that can provide you with information about financial assistance available to students. Project STRIVE can only pay for classes at LWIT.

Do you have childcare available?
Although there is a Childcare facility available on the LWIT campus, the Project does not have the resources to pay for the cost. If childcare is needed, the project counselor can provide students with a referral to Childcare of SW Florida for assistance.

I don’t have transportation to class, can you provide me with a bus pass ?
Yes, monthly bus passes are available for students who attend classes daily during the day. Unfortunately buses do not run in the evening.