Nineteen Students Recognized at Parenting in Progress Graduation and Awards Ceremony

Parenting in Progress, an alternative education program run by the , held its 27th graduation this week, celebrating the young women who had completed their GED requirements along with education courses aimed at parenting and building strong families. 

YWCA NRI collaborates with Blackstone Valley Community Action Program, , Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning, and Woonsocket Education Department on the program, which held a Graduation and Awards Ceremony on June 15 at YWCA.

At the ceremony, eleven students received their GED's: Corrinne Besaw, Sarah Christianson, Samantha Deering, Kara Delgado, Tiffany Martineau, Brittany Michaud, Rebecka Ortiz, Yesenia Ortiz, Kourtnee Renaud, Amanda Sikoun, and Christine Sumulong. Eight additional students received awards for their accomplishments in various other components of the program: Jocelynne Aponte, Brittany Eason, Sarah Ethier, Sheila Haworth, Cydney Mackey, Keisha Rivera, Christine Roman, and Krysteena Warner.

Parenting in Progress provides teenage mothers with assistance to increase parenting resources, strengthen families, and succeed in school. Deborah Smith is the program coordinator and a registered nurse. 

Parenting in Progress will hold a Summer Learning Academy, a program for teen parents and their children. Teen parents will earn credit toward high school graduation or gain the skills necessary to obtain a GED while their children are safely cared for in the YWCA Early Childhood Learning Center. To learn more, contact YWCA at 401-769-7450.