MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Friday, October 29, 2004

COLLEGE PANEL EXAMINES LOCAL POVERTY

By Lea Ann Erickson

	Panelist and southern New Hampshire resident Wayne Monroe at the panel discussion about low-wage employment, a  key theme in MWCC’s common book, “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.”

Too many local working families are struggling to hang on to jobs, feed their families and find reliable transportation, according to a panel of local experts discussing Mount Wachusett Community College’s common book, “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America” by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Over 1,000 students read the book about Ehrenreich’s experiences working as a waitress, hotel maid, housecleaner and other minimum-wage jobs.

Panelist and southern New Hampshire resident Wayne Monroe, who walks two-and-a-half miles to his factory job everyday, said he couldn’t afford to lose a day’s work to participate in the panel, but thought it was important to get the message out that the working poor are the “backbone of America.”

Ellie Goderre, RN, manager of the Winchendon Health Center, said the experiences outlined in the book were very similar to what she witnesses in the area—with a few notable exceptions: “The author had a reliable car and didn’t have two children in tow.”

Sheila Dansky, MSW, a social worker at North Central Human Services, found another key difference between the author and the local working poor: Ehrenreich wasn’t saddled with credit card debt. “Our clients earning low wages put groceries and gas on their credit cards.” She said it is not uncommon for families to have $30,000 to $40,000 in credit card debt.

MWCC Director of Civic Engagement and Outreach Amy Cassavina Hall noted another key difference: “The author spoke English.” Cassavina Hall, who works with frontline workers through the Institute for Non-Profit Development, added that tackling rural poverty is especially challenging because of isolation.

All the panelists agreed that the working poor are one crisis away from losing their jobs. A simple car breakdown, or a sick child requiring an extended number of missed work days can result in crippling job loss.

Other cultural changes impact the working poor. The prevalence of cell phones, for example, has reduced the number of public payphones. Monroe pointed out that many working poor, without home telephones, will use pay phones to receive return calls for job prospects, but this is getting harder to do as more payphones disappear from the landscape.

Panelists agreed that one key way to address the problem was through education. “The way we prevent more people from becoming working poor is through access to education—that is the gateway,” said state Rep. Christopher Donelan (D-Orange). Munroe agreed, urging students in attendance to “get that degree.”

Prior to the panel discussion, facts on poverty were projected on a screen for attendees. According to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, 34.6 million people—one out of every eight Americans—are living in poverty. The federal government defines poverty as earning less than $18,392 for a family of four. After budgeting for rent, utilities, food, health care and child care, a the typical family would fined themselves $156 in the red before they even began to budget for school supplies, education and clothes. For more information, visit their website: www.povertyusa.org.

MWCC’s Committee for Activities and Recreation for Students and the Office of Student Life hosted the first annual Scary Karaoke, Thursday, Oct. 28.  It was a huge success, with over a 100 students, faculty and staff in attendance, many in costumes.

ALPHA BETA GAMMA MEMBERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

By Dawn Grigarauskas

	Alpha Beta Gamma Vice President Dawn Grigarauskas at the NEADS fall cleanup.

MWCC Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG) members landscaped the grounds of NEADS (National Education for Assisted Dog Service) as part of national Make a Difference Day, Sat., Oct. 23.

The project was part of the college’s Decade of Civic Engagement initiative. Students removed fallen leaves, acorns and branches at the dog training facility in Princeton.

ABG decided to work with NEADS because of the organization’s dedication to its surrounding communities.

ABG members were first introduced to NEADS last November when NEADS Director Sheila O’Brien was the guest speaker at the ABG Annual Dinner. O’Brien was also honored as an “unsung hero” by the college and the Sentinel & Enterprise at the annual Unsung Heroes Dinner in April.

ABG members participating in the cleanup were Dennis Bartlett, advisor Linda Bolduc, Jeanie Escabi, Sarah Fortin, Don Gilberti, Dawn Grigarauskas, Nayihiki Karane, Paula Murphy, Janice Pekkinen, Shelly St. Cyr, Katie Sweatt and Laura Sweatt.

To view more photos from the clean up, visit the Alpha Beta Gamma website: http://abg.mwcc.edu.

Campus Events:

• The Fitness & Wellness Center at Mount Wachusett Community College will be hosting a Spin-a-thon for Diabetes on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to noon. The spin-a-thon will consist of five one-hour spinning classes. To reserve a bike and a class time, call the Fitness & Wellness Center at (978) 630-9212. A $20 donation is requested. All proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to support their research in finding a cure for diabetes.

• Registration for spring semester classes, including January intersession courses, begins on Monday, Nov. 1. Schedule booklets will be available at that time. Registration Day will be Wednesday, Nov. 3. All current students are encouraged to meet with their advisors prior to registering. For more information, new students can call the registration office at (978) 630-9238 and current students can call admissions office at (978) 630-9110.

• As part of MWCC’s Decade of Civic Engagement, The Student Government Association and MASSPIRG are kicking off their holiday food drive, Monday, Nov. 1. The drive will continue until they reach their goal of “filling the chair” in front of Gardner’s Elm Street School, Saturday, Nov. 20. Grocery carts and collection boxes will be located across the Gardner campus and SGA representatives will be collecting food at the Gardner Stop & Shop, Saturday, Nov 13 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn how to contribute, call (978) 630-9133 or stop by the Student Life Office.

• As part of MWCC’s Decade of Civic Engagement, the Student Government Association (SGA) and MASSPIRG will help students, faculty and staff prepare for Election Day. SGA representatives will assist students in finding their polling places and previewing their ballots via the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of State's Web page at the bank of computers outside of the cafeteria from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mon., Nov. 1 and Tues. Nov. 2. In addition, the college will re-run all of the presidential and vice presidential debates Mon., Nov. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Commons and Tues., Nov. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the North Cafe. For more information, call 978.630.9322.

• College and university representatives will visit MWCC at various times during the fall semester. Those scheduled visits are: Mount Holyoke College, Monday, Nov. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in the Murphy Conference Room; Smith College, Monday, Nov. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in the Murphy Conference Room; Wellesley College, Monday, Nov. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Murphy Conference Room; Worcester State College, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Transfer Services table in cafeteria hallway, UMASS Lowell, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Transfer Services table; Fitchburg State College, Wednesday, Dec.1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Enrollment Services. Students interested in meeting with representatives scheduled to be in Enrollment Services must register with Nancy Greenlaw for a half-hour appointment. She may be reached at (978) 630-9321.

• A “Succession Planning for the Family-Owned Business” workshop will be offered at MWCC’s Devens campus on Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. Business succession from one generation to the other is a process, not an event. This workshop will focus on two key areas in this process: the transfer of power and transfer of asset. The cost is only $50. For more information, or to register, call the Devens Applied Manufacturing Center at (978) 630-9569.

• MWCC’s admissions office and the College and Preparation Programs (CAPP) will host the annual Junior Symposium Wednesday, Nov. 3 for high-school juniors from Winchendon, Clinton, Leominster, Fitchburg, Murdock, Gardner and Lunenburg. Speaker and author Jeff Yalden will start the day’s activities at 8:30 a.m. with a keynote address in the theatre. For more information, call the admissions office at (978) 630-9110.

• Jeff Yalden will return to MWCC at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3 for a free presentation of “The Essence of Leadership” to MWCC students, staff and the general public in the North Cafeteria. Yalden will take attendees on a journey of self-exploration as he describes the essence of leadership and the responsibilities that go along with leading others. For more information, contact the admissions office at (978) 630-9110.

• Sign up now for Introduction to Grantwriting: Part I on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. in MWCC’s North Cafeteria. Hosted by the Institute for Nonprofit Development at MWCC, this workshop is designed to help beginner grant writers better understand the process of preparing and submitting proposals. It—and part two on Thursday, Dec. 2—will be led by Tony Motyl. Workshop participants should purchase “Winning Grants Step by Step” by Mim Carlson, which is available at the MWCC College Bookstore for a special price. To register, call (978) 630-9591. Registration forms are available at http://www.mwcc.edu/offices/inpd/documents/reg_form_10.pdf.

• A free seminar, “Starting/Expanding your Small Business Today and Tomorrow,” on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in MWCC’s Room 127 intends to guide the small business owners through decisions that will make their planned or existing business more profitable and secure. Area business experts will lead the seminar, which is being co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Association. This seminar is open to the public. Pre-registration is requested. To pre-register, call MWCC Enrollment Services at (978) 630-9123. For more information, call Jack Hughes at (978) 630-9340.

• The second annual Wachusett Writer’s Conference, sponsored by The Gardner News and hosted by MWCC’s Lifelong Institute for Enrichment (LIFE), will be held Saturday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road, Gardner. A pre-conference gathering at the hotel on Friday, Nov. 5 begins at 7 p.m. Leominster author R.A. Salvatore will be the keynote speaker. Registration for the conference cost only $75 and $10 for the pre-conference. For more information about the writing contest or the conference, contact Lorraine Wickman at (978) 630-9176 or lwickman@mwcc.mass.edu.

• Highly acclaimed Celtic folk singer Cathie Ryan will perform at the Wachusett Folk Café, on Friday, Nov. 12 in MWCC’s dining area. Ryan’s latest album, “Somewhere Along the Road,” features a mix of traditional tunes sung in Gaelic, covers of contemporary songs and pieces written by Ryan. She will perform with her trio at the Wachusett Folk Café, which is organized by the MWCC Alumni Association. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 7:30. Tickets are available at the Theatre at the Mount Box Office, or by calling (978) 632-2403, for $15 in advance; $17 at the door. For more information, contact Diane Hamilton at dhamilton@mwcc.mass.edu or (978) 630-9387.

• The deadline to apply for the next certified nurse aide training course at MWCC’s Orange campus is Monday, Nov. 15. The class will run from Tuesday, Nov. 30 to Friday, Jan. 14. Most classes meet in the evening. The cost is $650. Applications are available at Quabbin Valley Health Care, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol. MWCC’s Orange campus is located in the West River Health Center, 450 West River St., Orange. For more information, contact Alice LeBlanc at (978) 630-9220 or am_leblanc@mwcc.mass.edu.

• MWCC faculty in the Business, Computer Information Systems, and Broadcasting and Telecommunications programs and area public high-school faculty on Monday, Nov. 15 will gather for a dinner to begin reviewing articulation agreements. Articulation agreements, based on school standards and curricula, provide a seamless transition for high-school graduates who enroll at MWCC. Through these agreements, students will have the opportunity to earn college credits while enrolled in high school. This activity is supported by the MWCC admissions office and the North Central Massachusetts Tech Prep Consortium. For more information, contact Dean of Business, Social Sciences and Education Jane Carney at (978) 630-9310 or jcarney@mwcc.mass.edu.

• MWCC will host the second annual North Shore Comedy Night fund raiser Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Theatre at the Mount. This year’s comedians are Chuck Grover, Tim Mcintire and Paul D’Angelo. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door for non-students. Students tickets are $5 in advance; $6 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. Tickets may be purchased at the Theatre at the Mount box office or the Department of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. For more information, contact Jo-Ann Meagher at (978) 630-9105.

• Tickets are now on sale for performances of “Inspecting Carol” on Friday, Dec. 3, Saturday, Dec. 4, Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Theatre at the Mount. Mix together a struggling theater company, a tired production of “A Christmas Carol,” a really bad actor and a visiting inspector for the National Endowment for the Arts, and you end up with an off-the-wall holiday farce. Everything that could possibly go wrong does as a fictitious theater company struggles to mount their annual production of the holiday classic. Bad theatre has never been this much fun before! For information and reservations, call the Theatre at the Mount box office at (978) 632-2403, or purchase tickets online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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