VGCC receives $200,000 grant from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas to connect students with apprenticeship opportunities
— press release and picture provided by VGCC
VGCC receives $200,000 grant from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas to connect students with apprenticeship opportunities
HENDERSON, N.C. – Vance-Granville Community College today announced a $200,000 investment from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The funds will be used to connect students with hands-on training and career development opportunities.
The investment, from the Duke Energy Foundation, will support the “Vanguard Apprenticeship Collaborative,” a VGCC initiative designed to cultivate highly skilled workers for partnering companies in a number of industries. Grant funds will provide scholarships to adult students who are accepted into registered apprenticeship programs. Funds will also be used to purchase some equipment used for technical training and other supplies.
“Apprenticeships are key to meeting the workforce needs of our region’s industries while also supporting students’ academic and career success, and this new grant will allow Vance-Granville to continue to grow this exciting initiative,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “On behalf of our current and future apprentices and our local employers, we sincerely appreciate the strong support of our partners at Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas.”
From left, VGCC Vice President of Institutional Research & Technology Dr. Ken Lewis, TechHire grant project manager Kenneth Wilson and (at far right) President Dr. Stelfanie Williams accept a symbolic check representing the new grant from Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans (third from left). (VGCC photo)
“We are proud to partner with Vance-Granville Community College to connect students with apprenticeship and workforce training opportunities,” said Tanya Evans, Duke Energy district manager. “These students will gain valuable hands-on experience while directly helping meet the needs of the region’s industries.”
This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $35 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges could apply for funds through the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Foundation for the Carolinas. Applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.
About Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.
About Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit https://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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(Both VGCC and Duke Energy are advertising clients of WIZS. This is a news release. This is not a paid advertisement.)
Community Partners of Hope Provide Men’s Shelter Updates
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
Community Partners of Hope, operators of the local men’s homeless shelter currently located in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in Henderson, have recently shared shelter updates with WIZS.
Shelter Updates:
Kaine Riggan, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission director, is currently searching Henderson for a suitable space to meet the shelter’s long-term needs. Anyone with a suggestion for a location is asked to contact Riggan via email at kaineriggan@gmail.com.
Community Partners of Hope is excited to announce that a new fundraising portal has been created and can be viewed at https://www.youcaring.com/communitypartnersofhopehendersonmensshelter-1009964.
Donations are needed for day-to-day shelter operation expenses. The organization plans to begin a capital campaign once the new shelter location has been identified.
Shelter managers Darryl Jones and Kenny Blackwell have recently taken over the duty of scheduling meals and supervision. All meals for the rest of the season have been scheduled; however, the shelter is facing a shortage of male volunteers willing to work the welcome or the overnight shifts.
The shelter reports that there are paid staff on duty who can run the operation without the assistance of volunteers, but volunteers are essential in providing backup, especially in the case of an illness or emergency.
Volunteers are welcomed even if they can only commit to helping for one night. On-the-job training will be provided by a shelter manager or night manager. Interested volunteers should contact the shelter manager at (252) 820-0701. The shelter keeps an updated calendar on their website at www.cp-hope.org. The latest schedule is listed under the calendar tab.
Hope House Updates:
Four men from the shelter have recently moved into the Hope House-a transitional housing unit offering the next level of assistance to qualifying men.
In order to transition into the Hope House, men at the shelter must meet the following qualifications: demonstrate they can follow rules and live peacefully with others, have a job or be close to securing a job, pass a drug screening and have a mentor.
The Hope House is currently in need of male or female volunteers to mentor residents. Mentors are asked to:
- Maintain weekly contact with assigned resident-a minimum of one in-person meeting each month
- Encourage goal setting, both long-term and short-term
- Review goals and the steps taken to accomplish goals
- Be available to listen
- Inform the Mentor Coordinator of progress towards the completion of goals
- Should setbacks occur – inform the Mentor Coordinator immediately and provide resident’s plan to get back on track
- Communicate with the House Manager on issues that pertain to occupancy
Healthcare Initiative:
Thanks to a generous grant from the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, Community Partners of Hope is able to offer healthcare services to shelter occupants.
Monies will support CPOH Health Interventions, providing primary health care screening and treatment for homeless men through the emergency shelter and transitional house.
Treatment will focus on hypertension, high cholesterol, substance abuse, prostate issues and diabetes. Strategic partners in this initiative include:
- Chief Marcus Barrow, Henderson Police Department
- Brian Short, Henderson/Vance Emergency Services
- James Kenney, Beckford Medical Center
- Jeanne Harrison, Alliance Rehabilitative Care
- Lisa Harrison and Shauna Guthrie, Granville-Vance Health Department
- Krystal Harris, Vance County Department of Social Services
- Lori Giang, CEO/Executive Director and Nicole Banahene, Director of Partner Relations, NC MedAssist
- George Daye, Raemac Transportation
Community Partners of Hope staff will coordinate the care offered and maintain records to demonstrate that CPOH is having a measurable impact on the health of the community.
HPD Officer Involved Shooting Feb 15, 2018
HPD Officer Involved Shooting Feb 15, 2018
Press Release – Thursday, February 16, 2018
On February 15, 2018 around 9:15 PM, officers with the Henderson Police Department were executing a search warrant at 538 Skeenes Ave, Henderson. Upon approach and announcing themselves, officers encountered gunfire from in the residence. One officer was struck by the gunfire. Gunfire was returned by the police and one subject, within the residence, was injured.
Both the officer and the individual inside the residence were transported to Maria Parham Medical Center for treatment. The officer that was shot was treated and released during the early hours of the 16th. The suspect, from inside the residence, succumbed to his injury.
Due to the discharging of a Henderson Police Department firearm, the District Attorney’s Office was immediately called and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was requested. The SBI is currently handling the investigation of the incident and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per our departmental policy.
While this remains open, and an ongoing investigation, the release of any further details about this incident will be in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office and the SBI. The name of the deceased person is being held pending proper notification of family members.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
HPD Traffic Stop Yields Two Drug Arrests 2-14-18
Press Release – February 15, 2018
On February 14, 2018 members of the Henderson Police Department Vice-Narcotics Section conducted a traffic stop on Harriett Street, Henderson. During the stop, 100 dosage units of heroin, 4.8 grams of marijuana, and U.S. Currency was seized.
Leshawn Alston, 18, 426 Spring Court, Henderson was arrested and charged with Felony Maintaining a Vehicle, Felony PWIMSD Heroin, Simple Possession of Marijuana, and a Window Tint Violation. He received a $15,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on February 27, 2018 in Vance County.
Tyren Hargrove, 17, 1009 Harriett Street, Henderson was arrested and charged with Felony Conspire to Sell/Deliver Heroin, Sell/Deliver Heroin, and (2 Counts) of Felony PWIMSD Heroin. These charges are based on previous investigations conducted by the Vice-Narcotics Section. Hargrove received a $15,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on February 20, 2018 in Vance County.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
HPD Looking for Suspect in Medical Arts Theft
Press Release – Thursday, February 15, 2018
On February 8, 2018 around 10:00 PM a subject took exterior lighting from Medical Arts Pharmacy, 253 Ruin Creek Road Henderson, NC. The subject is described as a white male wearing a tan jacket and possibly was in a tan or silver in color Ford F250 extended cab, long bed truck.
The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in these cases. If you have knowledge of who the suspect is or know of his whereabouts you are asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Callers may also call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or by using the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
(Pictures Provided by HPD)
Henderson City Council Planning Retreat 2018
— written and provided by Esther McCrackin, City Clerk – City of Henderson, NC
The Henderson City Council will meet for its annual Planning Retreat on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the Henderson Country Club from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a working dinner and on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Room at the Perry Memorial Library. A quorum is expected at both meetings; however, no final action will be taken at either meeting. The public is welcome to observe.
VGCC to hold Business Technologies event
— courtesy VGCC
VGCC to hold Business Technologies event
Vance-Granville Community College will hold a “Business Technologies & Career Explo” (short for “Exploration”) on Thursday, March 1, from 3-7 p.m., in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.
Attendees will be able to explore VGCC’s programs related to business and information technology and the career fields for which those programs provide training. The programs include Accounting, Business Administration, Information Technology (with tracks in Business Support, Networking/Security, Simulation & Game Development and Web Design/Support), Medical Office Administration, Office Administration, Paralegal Technology and Supply Chain Management.
VGCC’s Continuing Education division will also be represented, as will the Career & College Promise program, which provides eligible high school students with opportunities to pursue a college degree, diploma or certificate, without having to pay college tuition.
Door prizes will be given away, including a laptop computer, an Echo Dot, LED speakers and Virtual Reality glasses.
Refreshments will be provided by the VGCC Culinary Arts program.
“There will be an incredible variety of programs and careers on display all in one room at this event,” said Christal Thomas, head of VGCC’s Office Administration program and coordinator for the ‘explo.’ “We have tried to make it convenient for anyone to attend, whether they’re a high school student or a working adult looking for a new career. VGCC’s Business Technologies department offers classes on four campuses and online, so there are opportunities that practically anyone can access.”
Those who are unable to attend in person will be able to participate in a live chat during the event, which will be accessible on the VGCC website at www.vgcc.edu/bustechexplo. For more information, contact Christal Thomas at thomasc@vgcc.edu.
–VGCC–
(This is not a paid advertisement.)