Four young low-income mothers enrolled in a program to help them sharpen their life skills have much to celebrate; instead of participants, you can now call them graduates.

The latest cohort of women to complete Starting Point 2.0 was recently recognized during a special ceremony at the Jones Dairy Farm Culinary Theatre on the FVTC Appleton Campus.

The program, facilitated by Fox Valley Tech, works with the mothers to build life skills that’ll position them well for college success or employment opportunities. The curriculum focuses on such areas as self-esteem and mental health, career planning, healthy relationships and what kind of legacy they’ll leave for their children.

“This fall cohort was an exceptional group. They were remarkably committed, all having perfect attendance,” said Kara Nowak, counselor at FVTC and program facilitator. “They sincerely enjoyed coming together every week to learn, support one another and obtain the necessary resources they need to move forward. All four women are planning to take a class in spring 2022 to start their education at FVTC. I couldn’t be happier to have worked with them and continue to support them as they take the next steps on their journey.”

Since completion ceremonies were put on hold at the start of the pandemic, four alumni from EmpowHER, another program helping young women who do not have children, were also invited to celebrate their completion.

These programs are a partnership between Fox Valley Technical College, the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, B.A.B.E.S., Inc and the FVTC Foundation.