Life Changing
By Rashia Sherman
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006

" It’s great to be a part of a program that helps adults find jobs, get their GED, and become organized adults in today’s society! Thank you so much Forward March for giving me a chance to become somebody"- Keyona Smith .

With over 34 locations in the United States, it is no surprise that Operation Forward March is an award-winning program. To date, the program has surpassed all expectations by exceeding regular enrollment, achieving the percentage of required successful completions, and has served over 2,600 adults in the state of Florida alone. Forward March is a partnership that provides activity-oriented training programs for adult welfare recipients, and is offered at nine sites in Florida. One of the nine sites is located right here in Tallahassee.

"This program is life changing! Our staff is very dedicated. We spend a lot of time with our clients. We assess each individual based on his or her specific needs. The motivation of Forward March is to change and enhance our client’s living standards. The majority of our clients haven’t even graduated from high school. It’s our duty and goal to enhance their job seeking and retention skills," Johnnie Pennick, a Forward March instructor said.

The Department of Military Affairs, Florida National Guard, Florida Regional Workforce Boards, and the Florida Department of Children and Families joined forces to provide quality, high-level programs for the community of Tallahassee. Forward March programs are geared toward helping clients build occupational, employment, and workforce development skills. The 180-hour six-week course provides a training curriculum that includes: GED Preparation, Job Readiness Skills, Functional Life Skills, Business Perspectives, Life Coping and Working Basics.

"I have really gotten a lot from the Forward March Program. I feel like a new person with so many new skills that will take me far in the working world. You really don’t find people who care about the community and are willing to help motivate you, so that you are able to get a job and get off the system," Kenyona Smith, a client of the Forward March Program said.

"This program has provided me with so much information I didn’t have, or know about. It has also challenged me to do what, at one time, I didn’t want or think I could do. I would like to thank the staff for everything they have done for me and the other students. The information and suggestions have taken us to places we thought we could never reach," said Nancy Jones a client of the Forward March Program.


This is the second year that Forward March has been available to the Tallahassee community. The Tallahassee site is the only site that is mobile being that classes are taught at both the Dade Street Community Center and the Henry W. McMillan National Guard Armory. There are 91 clients currently enrolled in the Tallahassee Forward March Program. Sixty of the clients who enrolled graduated. Thirty-seven of those clients were placed in job programs. Five out of the ninety went on to further their education in educational programs.


"I would like to challenge the entire Tallahassee community to get involved and become a part of our community service program and volunteer program. There’s no better feeling than giving back and seeing the impact that you can have on someone else’s life, Pennick said.

"It’s great to be a part of a program that helps adults find jobs, get their GED, and become organized adults in today’s society! Thank you so much Forward March for giving me a chance to become somebody," Keyona Smith said proudly.

 

For more information about the Forward March program, contact the Dade Street Community Center at 891-3910 or send questions to tallyforwardmarch2002@yahoo.com.

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