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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Women on the Move Highlighted in Bright Spot Essay


An essay about the success of MCC’s Women on the Move program was published in the July 31 issue of the Democrat and Chronicle. Dean Ann Topping, Student Services-DCC, co-wrote the essay with Kathryn Thomas, chair of the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley.

For your convenience the article is included below:


Women on the Move helps women succeed
By Kathryn Thomas and Ann Topping

July 31, 2008

About 75 Monroe Community College women who earn too much to qualify for government support yet not enough to be self-sufficient are learning to overcome obstacles. Their achievement is thanks in part to Women on the Move, a project implemented at Monroe Community College in collaboration with Catholic Family Center. A $67,873 grant from the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley funded the project after the group found that a startling number of women in the seven-county Rochester area live below the standard of economic self-sufficiency.

Women on the Move began in 2007 with 15 women whose yearly wages averaged $20,500. Participants developed individualized plans, setting short- and long-term goals and steps to achieve them. Each quarter, another 15 women enrolled in the 10-week program. Mentors, many of them MCC faculty and staff, helped the women connect with resources ranging from carpools to help in managing a child's therapy.

Recently, Women on the Move at MCC received an Innovation of the Year Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international organization. Projects like these empower women to succeed and help our community to grow.

Rosanna Condello
College and Community Relations
08/01/2008