Press release
Funds Raised at 14th Annual Golf Classic and Summer Soiree to Support No-Cost GED and Living-Wage Job Training for Adults in Need
MINNEAPOLIS (June 15, 2016) – Summit Academy OIC, which empowers adults residing in the most economically depressed neighborhoods in the Twin Cities to become educated, employed, contributing members of society, recently raised a record-setting $570,000 at its 14th Annual Golf Classic and Summer Soiree event, held June 13 at Oak Ridge Country Club.
The money will be used to support Summit’s new contextualized GED Program – the first of its kind in the Midwest – that combines GED instruction with certification training into a comprehensive 30-week training program at absolutely no cost and no loans to the student. Graduates receive a GED certificate as well as certification in the construction or healthcare specialty that they chose.
“We greatly appreciate the support of everyone who made this event such a huge success and helped boost our 1,000 GED Campaign,” said Louis King, president and CEO of Summit Academy OIC. “These funds will help us address the Twin Cities’ silent epidemic…an education gap that prevents adults from getting the proper training and skills they need to access well-paying jobs, succeed in the workforce and become economically self-sufficient.”
The need for GED programs is great given that more than 72,000 working-age adults in Hennepin County do not have a high school diploma or GED (including nearly 21,000 African Americans). In addition, the current demographic shift is causing workforce shortages in a variety of industries requiring new workforce solutions to ensure we have a viable economy now and into the future.
“We believe that the best social service program in the world is a job,” King said. “Given our current need for skilled workers, it is imperative that we ensure everyone has an opportunity to become a part of the economic mainstream for the benefit of our families and our communities.”
Monday’s event was emceed by WCCO anchor Angela Davis and featured some unique auction items including an exclusive BBQ dinner, prepared by King and youth-employed Lola’s Café, that sold for $20,000.
Established in 1996, Summit Academy OIC is an accredited, nonprofit vocational training and education center in north Minneapolis dedicated to helping low-income adults gain the skills they need to be successful. The strategically focused and results-oriented organization helps more than 700 students each year become trained and employed in living-wage careers.
For more information, visit www.saoic.org. Photos attached are approved and available for publication purposes.
About Summit Academy OIC
Summit Academy OIC (SAOIC) is a nonprofit accredited educational and vocational training center that empowers adults residing in the most economically depressed neighborhoods in the Twin Cities to become educated, employed, contributing members of the community. Focused on high-demand, high-growth industries, Summit’s results-oriented programs effect long-term change. Summit graduates are skilled and motivated workers who can stop drawing public assistance and start caring for their families, paying taxes and helping to stabilize and vitalize their communities. For more information, visit www.saoic.org.
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Not everyone has the opportunity to finish or graduate from high school. The GED is probably one of the best things because you can still finish those classes and get your diploma. I am really glad that people were able to raise money to have a good training program for the GED. I know a few people that are actually working on their GED. I also know that there are people who straight skipped high school and just tested out for the GED so that they didn’t have to go to school anymore. Whatever you have to do, there is always a way to finish that diploma and get the credit that you need.