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Reentry programs help many find jobs, continue education Helen recently opened her own quilting shop. Pat has a job as a sales representative for several sporting equipment man­ ufacturers. Ann is now a full-time student in a university pursuing a program that she hopes will lead to a management position in business. What do these three women have in common? They have "reentered" ed­ ucation and work after family-raising careers and other pursuits via Bergen Community College in Pa- ramus, New Jersey. Helen, Pat and Ann par­ ticipated in a program called "Exploring Op­ tions," offered by the Women's Institute of the college. Bergen is among a host of community colleges across the country that have responded to needs of women who want to find new careers or pursue new educational goals af­ ter rearing families, ac­ cording to Roger Yarring- ton, vice president of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. These low-cost commut­ ing institutions provide an ideal resource for these "non-traditional stu­ dents." says Yarrington, as they do for other overlook­ ed groups -- veterans, older and retired persons, and even young marrieds. The Association has helped to stimulate devel­ opment of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, which in turn is stimulat­ ing greater attention on the part of the institutions to women's needs. A recent survey by Don­ ald D. Nichols, dean of students at the Orchard Ridge Campus of Oakland Community College in Michigan, showed that more than 50 per cent of some 577 institutions poll­ ed offer special programs for women. Bergen's Helen is per­ haps typical of the women who are taking advantage of the special resources offered by community col­ leges. Her career as a house­ wife had become less de­ manding over the years -- so she turned to the col­ lege for help in determin­ ing a new course of action. Helen says, "The Women's Institute Program provid­ ed an opportunity to take a clear look at myself and my situation, and then explore with others some realistic possibilities. " 'Exploring Options'was excellent. It did not come up with a tailor-made an­ swer -- but it furnished me with the resources I needed to arrive at a sound decision of my own." Spurred on by a long- held interest in and a knowledge of quilting, Hel­ en developed a packaged program, called "Quilt-In," which she used in various schools and clubs The program was so successful that she recent­ ly opened a quilting shop, and, from what she says, business is fantastic. Harriet S. Lelkowith, assistant to the dean of community services at Bergen, speaking of the career-planning program, says "we find that many PAGE 7-SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDF.ALER, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 18.1»7< mid-life women want and need this program because they are discovering that for a variety of reasons they want to explore new life possibilities. "During the course, they learn more about them­ selves. and they learn what is available in the world of work and school. The group experience provides them with identity and support." The Nichols survey showed that programs for women take two forms: specialized credit courses in academic areas, such as "Women in Literature," and noncredit offerings along lines of Bergen's career options workshop. The latter tend to em­ phasize personal aware­ ness and/or search for identity, problem - solving and consciousness-raising experiences. Special Semi­ nars often deal with the feminist movement and women In the labor force. ACTIVE WOMEN SEEK REENTRY -- Bergen Community College in Paramus, N.J., in one of many community col­ leges across the country offering "reentry*' program* for women of all ages who have raised families and are now seeking to further their education and establish themselves in the working world. Harriet Lefkowith (far left). Assist­ ant to the Dean of Community Service* at Bergen, is help­ ing these interested, young women plan programs which will best suit their individual interests and career plans. Patch-art: new fun fad Patches, patches every­ where . . on jeans and jackets, back-packs, name- it .. . they're a kind of citizen's band communica­ tion all their own. But why slow it down with sewing -- 'vhen you can use glue instead? , There's a special glue that's made to hold even through trips to the wash­ ing machine or dry clean­ ers. It's Elmers Fabric Mender Cement and it's available in most variety .stores. Just look for the card with the bright pink tube. You can even use it on leather and suede . . and here's a hint: now that patch-art is so glue-easy, why not invent your own? Just cut out designs from fabric scraps, and compose them into your own per­ sonal message! So...your. little thinker is going to college II f AND YOU'RE WONDERING HOW HE OR SHE SHOULD HANDLE THEIR MONEY We've watched many families come up with all sorts of answers and - take it from us - they do their best with their own "SERVICE FREE" Personal Checking Account FROM THE "WEDNESDAY BANK" THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF McHENRY 3814 W. Eln* Street • McHenry, Illinois 60050 815-385-5400 BIG ENOUGH TO HELP...SMALL ENOUGH TO SERVE!