LANCASTER, Pa. — A bilingual workforce training organization with locations across south-central Pennsylvania has received new state funding to help expand its reach.
“It will in time transform communities,” Carlos Graupera, CEO of Tec Centro Workforce, said.
Graupera says the $8 million of state funding his organization recently received will allow them to offer bilingual training to those who are in poverty and unemployed.
The program, which normally costs about $100, has a waitlist for all 6 of their facilities. This is just one of the barriers that Graupera says keeps people from getting a job.
“Language is an issue. If language and adult basic education is an issue, and if for some reason you had to go to work and are working at a low wage job, that’s a lot of barriers,” Graupera said.
Rolston Sturkey, one of Tec Centro’s recent graduates, says he's experiencing some of those barriers while searching for a job.
“I’m grateful that they were here and helped me. I can’t even show my appreciation by having a job. That’s what really hurts,” Sturkey said.
Sturkey said that although he’s having a hard time getting a job, the connections and experience gained at Tec Centro are valuable.
Another recent Tec Centro graduate, who is now employed, but struggled with homelessness as a single mom of nine, agreed.
“That’s how I felt, unchosen by other people. Coming to Tech Centro, I felt chosen, special and like I deserve it,” Sherrell Brown said. “I never really felt successful in my life. Never until coming here.”
With the new state funding, Tec Centro is looking to expand its footprint to open two new central Pennsylvania locations this year; Graupera says he hopes to open a location in Bethlehem and Allentown to help people in need.
Graupera also stated that they aren’t tired of doing this work and have no plans to stop.
“Poverty is very damaging to the human spirit but also filters to our kids. We want strong families that are taking care of their kids,” Graupera said.