2014 Economic Self Sufficiency Graduate Profile - Tanya

In 2006 Tania was a single mom struggling to support her family on social security and child support. She learned about the Opportunity Council at a Head Start parent meeting. Tania felt that the ES Program would be a good fit for her since she had recently enrolled in classes at Bucks County Community College with a goal to earn her Registered Nurse Degree.

Tania completed the prerequisite courses and was accepted into the clinical portion of the program in the fall of 2010, where she excelled in Nursing 1 and 2. An unexpected medical condition, however, caused her to withdraw from Nursing 3 in the fall of 2011. She reapplied the following year, was accepted, and again became very ill and could not complete the semester. With dogged determination, and a budget that ran on fumes most of the time, Tania reapplied again for Nursing 3 in the fall of 2013. She did not have the resources to complete the program and was out of options for financial aid and student loans. Tania did not know how she would pay for the last year of school. Thankfully, she was eligible for a unique scholarship through BCOC and Bucks County Community College called Gateway to Economic Self-Sufficiency. This scholarship assisted with tuition while another opportunity, the Mason Fellowship, provided the resources of transportation, food, and supplies. Tania successfully completed Nursing 3 and 4 and graduated from the program in May 2014. Tania passed her licensure exam on the first try and is now employed as a Registered Nurse at a local facility. A testament to perseverance, Tania reminds us all that despite setbacks, all things remain possible to those who never give up!

Bucks Works Learning Series

Looking to update your resume and need some help? There are wonderful workshops being offered by BCOC through the Bucks Works Learning Series in Quakertown! Please share to spread the word. Both will be held at the BCOC office, 136 C Mill Road, Quakertown.

Resume and Cover Letters- Tuesday February 10, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Job Interviewing Techniques - Tuesday February 24, 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm

Please call or email to register for workshops- Contact Deb Rosenberg, 215.589.0670 or drosenberg@bcoc.org.

Bucks Works Job Fair

Save the Date! March 11, 2015 the Bucks Works Job Fair will be held at the Central Bucks YMCA from 10 am - 2:30 pm. BCOC is a sponsor of this event. We're also seeking volunteers to help at the event- see below under Volunteer Opportunities.

Gourmet Getaway

Thanks to the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee (WIB) local women are achieving their dream of economic self-sufficiency!

Since 2003, the WIB Scholarship Fund has awarded $100,000 to women enrolled in the BCOC’s Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) program.

In line with their purpose, the WIB Committee aims “to support the role of women in the workforce and foster their business growth.” The WIB raises funds for scholarships at its Gourmet Getaway to help women over the age of 25 who want to return to school but cannot afford the cost.

The 2015 Gourmet getaway is on Thursday, March 26, 2015. You can support BCOC clients making their way toward self-sufficiency by attending this great event, and have a blast too! If you purchase tickets through BCOC, $5 from each ticket will go to our ES Program too!

Join us! To purchase tickets, go to our website or contact Joe Cuozzo, Director of Development at jcuozzo@bcoc.org or 215-345-8175 ext. 204.

100 Women Who Care (About BCOC!)

Many thanks to the 100 Women Who Care of Bucks County for their generous contribution to our Food an Nutrition Network!
"(BCOC was) the top vote getter from our December meeting and received $5300 for their Food & Nutrition Network. This worthwhile organization supports over 40 food pantries throughout Bucks County and feeds countless people every single day. They are thrilled with this unexpected donation and grateful for the generosity of our members."

Vote for the BEST!

For two years in a row, you voted BCOC Best of Bucks Bucks Happening! We have a chance to have this title for the third year in a row. Click here, vote and encourage your friends to vote!

The Holidays may be behind us, but the letters of gratitude and pictures keep pouring in. For all those who helped families in Bucks County through Adopt-A-Family, Give A Christmas and more- thank you!

"You are a blessing for this time of year and the rest of the year for me and my family. Thank you for all you do. Happy New Year!"
- Tammy and Kids

Poverty Simulation

On Thursday, February 12, BCOC will be conducting a Poverty Simulation at Cairn University, in Langhorne, PA from 5 - 9 pm. Volunteers (with prior experience at a simulation) can help staff resource tables during the event, set-up and clean up and other preparation. Interested in attending as a participant? To Register (space is limited) contact Eileen Albillar via email or at 215-345-8175 ext. 204.

Bucks Works Job Fair

March 11, 2015 the Bucks Works Job Fair will be held at the Central Bucks YMCA from 10 am - 2:30 pm. BCOC is a sponsor of this event. We're seeking volunteers to help at the event. Contact Joe Cuozzo by email or at 215-345-8175 ext. 204 to sign up to help with preparation and set-up, staffing the table during the fair, and breakdown. You can volunteer for the entire day or even just 2 hours.

Representative Bernie O'Neill Senior Expo

March 19, 2015 at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology. BCOC will have a table display with information about our services, how to volunteer, and more. Volunteers will help prep, set-up staff and break down display. Contact Joe Cuozzo to sign up to help.

Buck$Back Tax Program

We would love for you to help local families by completing their tax returns. We provide the training, and no experience is required! To learn more, visit our website or contact Collin Carlone, Buck$Back Program Manager at 215-345-8175 ext. 203.

You can also use MyFreeTaxes to complete your taxes online, for free! For more information on if your family qualifies to use this service, visit our website.

Thank you for staying connected with the Bucks County Opportunity Council!
Eileen

Eileen Albillar, LMSW
Volunteer and Community Connections Manager