Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

11/06/06
Story by Peggy Graham

Project Finish Receives National Recognition

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Project Finish’s success in involving volunteers to supplement the work of paid teachers in English-as-a-Second-Language classes has earned it a role in a national project funded by the UPS Foundation and ProLiteracy America, the U.S. program of ProLiteracy Worldwide. Project Finish is the Adult Basic Education program sponsored by Johnson County Community College and the Johnson County Library.

During the next 18 months, Project Finish and nine other adult education and literacy programs will share their exemplary experiences to create a national guide.

Last year, Project Finish served more than 2,100 students at its seven locations throughout Johnson County.  Adult students come to Project Finish to improve their reading, writing and math skills, to study for the GED exam in order to receive a Kansas High School Diploma from the Kansas Board of Regents, and to learn to speak English in one of the 30 English classes offered through the program.

Susan McCabe, program director, reports that this semester there has been an increase in the number of students enrolling in classes.  In order to meet the growing demand for services, a new ESL program will open in January at El Centro, 75th and Metcalf. Additional classes will be added at the other ESL Centers as well.

Project Finish has 140 active volunteers. Janet Daley, volunteer coordinator, attributes the success of Project Finish, in large part, to its dedicated volunteers.

For more information about Project Finish, contact McCabe at 913-829-8742.