John Wood Community College (JWCC) cut a green ribbon to open a new location at the Bella Ease Community Complex at 707 Broadway in Quincy today, marking an expanded commitment to provide access to college and career training for underserved students. Bella Ease is a non-profit organization that offers community, family, youth, and employment services.
JWCC will offer a variety of programs at the Bella Ease location, including GED, adult literacy, certified nursing assistant (CNA), and classroom-based truck driver training courses. These offerings are part of grants received from the state, aimed at expanding educational opportunities that lead to family-sustaining careers in high demand. In addition to these programs, JWCC staff will provide academic, career exploration, and financial aid support services to Bella Ease clients and all community members from the location.
The College first opened an Adult Education Learning Center in Uptown Quincy at 509 Maine in 1985. In 2002, adult education services moved to 514 Hampshire. Following an accidental fire at the Hampshire Street location, the John and Wanda Lee Kinscherff family donated a building at 122 North Fifth Street on Washington Park Square in which GED, adult education, literacy and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program were housed. In 2019, JWCC sold the building and relocated those programs to its Quincy campus location at 48th and Harrison.
The Bella Ease partnership re-establishes JWCC’s presence in Quincy’s downtown and marks an expansion of programs beyond GED and adult literacy to better serve students. The center will offer college courses and career training in addition to GED and literacy services.
“Taking JWCC to the students where they are and eliminating transportation and cultural barriers is crucial for ensuring access to education and career training,” said Dr. Bryan Renfro, JWCC President. “Partnering with Bella Ease allows us to reach and connect with more students and provides a supportive environment for their success. This location opens the door to a deepened partnership to help increase access and equity in education.”
Renfro shared that JWCC has already partnered with Bella Ease on several initiatives, including a community FAFSA filing and back-to-school fair collaboration. Over the past year, JWCC offered GED services to approximately 30 students in at Bella Ease. This fall, the College will begin offering CNA and truck driver training classroom courses at the location.
Bella Ease will also lease space at JWCC’s centers in Pittsfield and Mt. Sterling to increase the organization’s reach within the region.
“Bella Ease operates from a family-centered strategy that promotes healthy development and academic success for kids alongside adult services focused on parenting and financial stability,” Cheryl Williams, Bella Ease Executive Director shared. “This initiative with JWCC provides additional resources and support that individuals need to thrive.”
Monica Foster, JWCC Manager of Community Education, shared that JWCC’s most recent Illinois Community College Board Bridge grant will allow GED students to work on career certificates and GED coursework simultaneously, so they can connect what they learn to a future career in healthcare or truck driver training. For qualifying students who enter and complete these programs at Bella Ease in Fall 2024, tuition may be covered by limited grant funds.
“Our goal is to have students know that we are here for them, regardless of where they are in their educational journey,” Foster said. “We can help students bridge from GED to college courses, help a family navigate the college process for their children, or help them get training to start a career. We want the community to know that they can come to JWCC at Bella Ease if they have any questions about the college process, whether that be financial aid, scholarships, what questions to ask, or where to start. We hope to deliver as many services at this location as possible.”
For more information for JWCC programs and services provided at Bella Ease, contact Monica Foster at (217) 641-4962 or email mfoster@jwcc.edu.
