By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The CORE Learning Center is moving up.
The adult education non-profit held a ribbon cutting Friday morning at its Cattaraugus County location in offices on the first floor at 1 Blue Bird Square.
Mayor Amy B. Sherman attended the grand opening and celebrated CORE’s role in adult learning and workforce development.
Mary Layman, the CORE data manager who oversees the Olean office, said the group started in Allegany County and has since expanded to five other Western New York counties, including Cattaraugus Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.
The group offers General Equivalency Diploma preparation classes, English as a second language, computer classes, college preparatory classes, workforce readiness and certification classes, Layman said.
The group is grant-funded and has no shortage of work. The clients are referred by the Department of Social Services, Labor Department, school districts, Probation, the courts and Child Protective Services. There are also some walk-ins, Layman said.
CORE Learning Center has been at the Blue Bird Square address for the past 15 years. It was previously located in the basement, so it’s a move up, Layman said. There is more space in the new offices and it is more conveniently located.
Across the six counties served by CORE Learning Center there are about 40 employees. Services are available at no cost to participants.
“I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of people come through the center” over the years, Layman said. They also help people get into college or trade school.
One of their students, Angel Santiago, catered the grand opening celebration, she said. He has a goal of opening a restaurant or a food truck.
Also attending the ribbon cutting was Deb Parrow, the regional associate for adult education program for the state Education Department.
Deputy Executive Director Sarah Mills, who cut the ribbon on the new offices and classrooms thanked students who attended for helping with the move. “I thank everybody for being here and we’re excited about this new space.”To contact CORE on the internet visit www.core2learn.org or call (844) 969-2673.
