Teen, parent classes now offer college credit

December 13, 2009 11:00 pm • Last Updated: December 14, 2009 6:19 am

By By CLAIRE BESSETTE Day Staff Writer

Norwich — Annual teen and parent leadership training programs will feature a new attraction in the coming year - a partnership with Three Rivers Community College that will give credit to class graduates in the college's continuing education program.The popular classes are run by Norwich Youth and Family Services and the Norwich Children's First Initiative.

The popular classes are run by Norwich Youth and Family Services and the Norwich Children's First Initiative.The Teen Leadership Council and the Voices for Families parent classes both offer training in community involvement, how government and schools function, writing and language skills and how participants can better interact with agencies.

The Teen Leadership Council and the Voices for Families parent classes both offer training in community involvement, how government and schools function, writing and language skills and how participants can better interact with agencies.The teen program will start with a retreat on Saturday, Jan. 23. Weekly classes will run on Wednesdays from Jan. 27 through May 5. Program coordinators hope to offer transportation from Norwich Free Academy, Norwich Technical High School and the Thames River Academy alternative high school. The program is open to high school aged teens throughout the greater Norwich area, including those enrolled in high school programs at Norwich Adult Education.

The teen program will start with a retreat on Saturday, Jan. 23. Weekly classes will run on Wednesdays from Jan. 27 through May 5. Program coordinators hope to offer transportation from Norwich Free Academy, Norwich Technical High School and the Thames River Academy alternative high school. The program is open to high school aged teens throughout the greater Norwich area, including those enrolled in high school programs at Norwich Adult Education.Voices for Families will run for 15 weeks on Tuesdays from Jan. 26 to May 4. Both classes will be held at Three Rivers' campus on New London Turnpike.

Voices for Families will run for 15 weeks on Tuesdays from Jan. 26 to May 4. Both classes will be held at Three Rivers' campus on New London Turnpike.Angelo Callis, therapist for Norwich Youth and Family Services, said the partnership will allow teens and parents to become more familiar with Three Rivers, and with college in general. They may become more comfortable about attending college later.

Angelo Callis, therapist for Norwich Youth and Family Services, said the partnership will allow teens and parents to become more familiar with Three Rivers, and with college in general. They may become more comfortable about attending college later.Sherry Filiatreault, coordinator for Children's First Norwich, said the partnership with Three Rivers was a natural. She said some Three Rivers staff have taken the Voices for Families course, and Three Rivers helps Children's First, training child care givers and offering other assistance. Children's First's Touch a Truck Day is held at Three Rivers.

Sherry Filiatreault, coordinator for Children's First Norwich, said the partnership with Three Rivers was a natural. She said some Three Rivers staff have taken the Voices for Families course, and Three Rivers helps Children's First, training child care givers and offering other assistance. Children's First's Touch a Truck Day is held at Three Rivers.Filiatreault discussed the idea of collaborating on the leadership training classes with Jessie McCoy, continuing education program coordinator at Three Rivers, and the partnership soon was formed.

Filiatreault discussed the idea of collaborating on the leadership training classes with Jessie McCoy, continuing education program coordinator at Three Rivers, and the partnership soon was formed.The classes are free for participants, paid for through a $10,000 grant Norwich Youth and Family Services obtained from the Family Trust Fund and several smaller grants. Meals and child care are available to participants in the parent course.

The classes are free for participants, paid for through a $10,000 grant Norwich Youth and Family Services obtained from the Family Trust Fund and several smaller grants. Meals and child care are available to participants in the parent course.