‘It works. It works. It works’

Getting Ahead at its essence is a program to help those who aren’t seeing those who aren’t heard find their voice and find their community so that they can indeed get ahead.

The 10th cohort of graduates was honored on June 23 during a ceremony at the DC center in Denton.

Program coordinator, Stacy Gardner ever effusive about the people who come through the program, honored and acknowledged the partners that make the program possible. She first acknowledged Kat Stork-Blaher, Principal, Shore Strategies, who together with Gardner facilitated the first cohort.

Stork-Blaher highlighted that the original cohort was funded through the Caroline County Human Services Council, and later cohorts received funding from a variety of sources including the Rural Maryland Council. Gardner noted that the Maryland Department of Social Services has supported the program, and that area churches have been tremendously helpful in providing in-kind support through facility use, meals, and childcare. She emphasized that continued funding is needed to keep the program sustainable.

Many of the audience members in attendance are graduates of previous Getting Ahead cohorts. The “investigators” as the program participants are called, carry forward the work even becoming program facilitators. Winter Dawn Cannalito, a graduate of the 9^th cohort, summed up the connection among the graduates, “We walk in a strangers, and we walk out as family.”

Getting Ahead, and the soon to be supplemental program, Staying Ahead, are not just about handholding and good feelings. The program calls for the participants to dedicate their time for two days a week for eight weeks and learn about resources on navigating the world that may be cumbersome with a goal of helping themselves and their families to get ahead.

The 10th cohort graduates were recognized for their dedication to the program. They were given a certificate and a photo of the cohort. Gardner gives everyone a framed photograph of the cohort as a reminder of the people that they have grown with and shared on the journey.

Graduates:

Thomas Bethea

George French

Sue Dunn

Donna Lane

For more information about Getting Ahead, contact Stacy Gardener at 443-203-9507 or stacy@stacygconsulting.com