CMP Media Sponsors ECS Annual Celebration of Low-Income and Homeless Adult Educational Achievements; A Student-Centered, Student-Led EventPRNewswire CMP Community Connection, the employee volunteer program and non-profit foundation of CMP Media LLC, is sponsoring the June 27th eleventh annual Episcopal Community Services (ECS) Skills Center Achievement Celebration, honoring 100 students and clients for their many academic and other achievements. ECS is nationally recognized for its model program that provides education and training for homeless and low-income adults--one of the first steps in helping them facilitate change in their lives. The Achievement Celebration recognizes student achievements and provides honorees the opportunity to share their experiences in the classroom and in their lives since they began studying at the Skills Center. The ceremony is both prepared and presented by the students themselves, from the speakers to the emcees, giving the participants a chance to find inspiration in each other through the sharing of personal trials and triumphs. "I started to attend The Skills Center while I was still in a shelter," says Robert, a Skills Center graduate. "I believe education is going to lead me to a job, and through my instructor I have also learned about vocational services. Now I am in a training program that will transition me back into the workforce. I'm not sure I could have gotten out of homelessness if it hadn't been for all the support around me." The Skills Center addresses the lack of education and job skills that create barriers for people trying to move off the streets. The program helps a wide range of homeless and formerly homeless adults move off the street and toward self-sufficiency through a continuum of services that starts with basic remedial education classes (literacy, adult basic education, GED preparation, computer training, and life skills courses), goes through job placement and job retention counseling, and includes CHEFS (Conquering Homelessness through Employment in Food Service), an on-site job training program in institutional food services. The relationship between Community Connection and ECS began eleven years ago when both programs were in their fledgling stages. "ECS was our first partner," says CMP's Community Connection Program Manager, Alison Brown, "and it has been a powerful experience to watch it evolve into the successful program it is today. The Achievement Celebration has always been special for CommConn because it's a celebration of the students' success. The entire program is about the students. The ECS counselors, teachers, and volunteers have always kept the program entirely focused on the students, and that's why it's been such a rewarding partnership." The ECS Skills Center Achievement Celebration will be held Wednesday June 27, 2001, at 5:30 pm at the Canon Kip Community House, 705 Natoma Street, San Francisco, CA. For further information, contact Lisa Stringer, The Skills Center Director, at (415) 487-3790. About the ECS Skills Center The Skills Center is one of eight programs administered by Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, a not-for-profit organization that serves 6,000 homeless and extremely low-income people annually. Other programs include: shelter and meals, case management, supportive housing, senior services, and beginning in December 2001, a supportive housing facility and resource center for low-income families. Donors to Episcopal Community Services can be proud that more than 88 cents of each dollar they contribute supports direct, hands-on services that help homeless San Franciscans turn their lives around. About CMP Community Connection CMP Community Connection, CMP's nationally recognized employee volunteer program, is a 501©3 nonprofit foundation that draws on volunteer resources and input from CMP's employees. Community Connection's mission is to impact its non-profit partners on many levels, providing volunteers, pro bono services, in-kind donations, matching contributions, and grants to help these agencies in their efforts to address homelessness, education, the AIDS epidemic, the environment, and other needs. In addition to CMP's San Francisco community involvement, the outreach program extends to all of CMP's offices nationwide and globally. About CMP Media LLC CMP Media LLC (http://www.cmpnet.com/) is a leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum-the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. Capitalizing on its editorial strength, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated media solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Its diverse products and services include newspapers, magazines, Internet products, research, direct marketing services, education and training, trade shows and conferences, custom publishing, testing and consulting. CONTACT: Deborah Thrope of Episcopal Community Services, Development Associate, 415-487-3798 SOURCE: CMP Media LLC Contact: Deborah Thrope of Episcopal Community Services, Development Website: http://www.cmpnet.com/ |