November Newsletter: News at ACE MV

ACE MV Web Master2024-11-25T14:37:41-05:00November 25th, 2024|Blog, News, Newsletter|

Greetings!

The fall semester is underway at ACE MV with active cohorts across our Career Explorations programs in early childhood education, small business and entrepreneurship, wellness workforce, and the electrical program.

Scroll on to learn about upcoming courses, events, and programs with ACE!

Upcoming Events & Classes

Island Career Pathways Night

Join us for Island Career Pathways Night on November 13th, 5:00 – 7:30 PM, to explore career pathways and training programs available to you, with panel discussions including representatives from trade schools, community colleges, local training programs, employers and Island workforce scholarship providers. Students, parents & community members are all welcome!

Chat with industry leaders and local employers to learn more about the opportunities available to you!

All attendees will be entered to win a $500 ACE MV Career Pathways Education Award!

Got questions? Let us know!

Join us this Thursday to learn the basics of investing, from stocks and bonds to mutual funds and ETFs, with a special focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI).

Chris Edgerly is a holistic coach who focuses on helping clients with financial wellness and the underlying mindset needed to help them reach their financial goals. He is a certified financial education instructor affiliated with the NFEC. He is also the force behind 5D Ventures, a socially responsible finance firm.

Scroll on to learn more about why Chris thinks investing can empower you to take charge of your financial future, and what you need to get started.

ACE MV News & Updates

Thank you, Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation!

ACE MV has been funded by MVCF to continue our Language Access program, in partnership with MV Adult Learning Program and CAP. This program will support interpreter and translator training programs, new ESL courses, and an ESL teacher training program.

Interested in learning more? Contact Courtney!

Thank you, Mass CEC!

ACE MV is the proud recipient of a Mass Clean Energy Center Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grant. This grant will allow us to spend time planning and developing career pathways for Island-based “Green Jobs,” with a focus on HVAC repair and other emerging opportunities related to the clean energy transition. Stay tuned for more information and a training program launch in 2025!

Now Enrolling for January

Computer Programming: Web Development Certificate

Email Garrett to learn more about this program!

CSL Test Prep Course

Prepare to get or renew your construction supervisor’s license! This is a 24.5-hour exam preparation course for the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) of MA. Classes meet on Martha’s Vineyard once a week for seven weeks.

When: Wednesdays 3:30 – 7 PM | Jan 22 – Mar 12, 2025

Location: MVRHS

Questions? Call 978-939-3435 or email NAILIT@contractorsuccess.com

Early Childhood Education Program

Interested in becoming an early childhood educator?

Join our grant-funded Early Childhood Education Career Explorations program! The next semester of the ECE program begins in the spring of 2025.

Got questions? Email Joanne!

Instructor Spotlight

Why learn about investing?

“Learning about investing empowers you to take control of your financial future. Investing allows you to grow your wealth, protect it from inflation, and work towards specific financial goals, whether it’s buying a home, saving for retirement, or building generational wealth. By learning the fundamentals, you gain confidence to make informed decisions that align with your personal goals, risk tolerance, and values. This knowledge can make a significant impact on your life and help secure a brighter future.”

What is socially responsible investing (SRI)?

“Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is an approach to investing that considers not only financial returns but also the social and environmental impact of your investments. SRI allows you to support companies and industries that align with your values, like those committed to environmental sustainability, social justice, or ethical governance. SRI investors aim to make a positive difference while working toward their financial goals, choosing to invest in companies that are committed to creating a better world.”

How much do you need to get started with investing?

“Getting started with investing is more accessible than ever. You don’t need a large sum of money to begin—many platforms allow you to start with as little as $5 or $10. With options like fractional shares and low-cost funds, you can begin building your portfolio with a small initial amount and gradually increase your contributions over time. The most important step is simply to start; the earlier you invest, the more time your money has to grow.”

Why do you love teaching people about personal finance?

“I love teaching people about personal finance because it’s incredibly rewarding to see others take control of their financial lives and achieve their goals. Understanding personal finance and investing can be transformative, empowering people to build security, freedom, and opportunities they may not have thought possible. Watching students grow more confident in their financial decisions, learn new strategies, and set themselves up for success inspires me every day. Helping others achieve financial peace and independence is my passion, and it’s why I’m so committed to teaching.”

Don’t miss out on program announcements and information! Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest program news:

Free Community College in MA: MassEducate

ACE MV Web Master2024-08-13T12:20:02-04:00August 13th, 2024|News|

Here at ACE we are excited to hear the news that beginning in the fall of 2024, community college is now free for Massachusetts state residents without a previous bachelor’s degree! MassEducate builds off of MassReconnect, a program which made community college free for residents over the age of 25 last year–increasing access to affordable education statewide. That’s right, you heard it: no tuition, no fees. An allowance for supplies and books is also available for certain students.

From The Boston Globe: ‘It feels so relieving.’ Students celebrate free community college program by Hilary Burns

The program, MassEducate, expands an initiative launched last year to make community college free for students 25 and older, which drove enrollment growth at the public, two-year schools for the first time in several years. Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges serve about 90,000 students, the majority of whom work while pursuing their degrees.

MassEducate covers tuition and fees, which cost an average of about $7,000, as well as books for students under a certain income threshold. Anyone without a bachelor’s degree and who has lived in Massachusetts for at least a year is eligible. The program is funded with revenue from the state’s tax on high earners, which charges a surtax of 4 percent on income over $1 million.

Community colleges across the state are preparing for double-digit enrollment growth this year, said Nate Mackinnon, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges.

“It’s a momentous occasion for the community colleges, and for the state as a whole,” Mackinnon said. “We’ve moved the top of the ceiling up on free education from stopping at 12th grade.”

State leaders said free community college will be a boon to employers, especially in industries facing workforce shortages, such as health care. College presidents and advocates, meanwhile, hope the program will prompt much-needed improvements to campus infrastructure and boost the number of students transferring to four-year schools.

To learn more on how to access MassEducate support, visit the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges website.

July Newsletter: A preview of fall programming

ACE MV Web Master2024-08-09T10:31:09-04:00August 9th, 2024|Blog, News, Newsletter|

Greetings!

The busiest season of the year is upon us and Islanders and visitors alike are feeling the heat—beach days, melting ice cream cones, lively restaurants, bustling streets, and all the other good stuff! Here at ACE we have been busy planning ahead for fall offerings and other exciting programs to come, while also savoring the successes of our current programs. Our CAMP! summer internship pilot program is now underway with interns placed across 12 different Island employers (stay tuned for a separate newsletter highlighting this program). Read on to learn more about what we have to look forward to in the fall and beyond!

Stay cool out there, friends!

-The ACE MV Team

ACE MV will be continuing cohorts this fall in Early Childhood Education, Wellness Workforce, Small Business and Language Access. For more information about any of these program, please email Garrett.

There are open spots for students interested in taking ACC 101: Principles of Accounting this fall, a 4-credit course focusing on the basic structure of financial record keeping, including the preparation of financial statements for service and merchandizing firms. Other topics covered include deferrals and accruals, cash reconciliation, receivables and payables, payroll accounting, internal control and accounting ethics.

Weekly work load: Three lecture hours and one computer laboratory hour per week.

This class is FREE and students will need to enroll with Bristol Community College.

Learn more about the contents of the class here.

If you would like to sign up for this class, please reach out to Garrett.

This 8 week course will prepare you for the state certification exam to become a CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant. This training covers basic nursing skills, personal care skills, and recognition for mental health and social service needs, basic restorative services and residential rights. Employment opportunities exist at hospitals, nursing homes, home health care agencies, domiciliary care and residential care facilities.

Program Structure

-Weekly lectures on Zoom | Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 4:30 – 9:00 PM

-A one week in-person laboratory

-Two week clinical rotation

Classes begin on September 23rd and end on November 22nd, 2024.

This course is free to all students (including tuition, books/materials, and travel to lab and clinical rotations. Space is extremely limited. Please reach out to Laura if you are interested in enrolling!

ACE MV is proud to partner with the Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network and Cape and Islands Area Health Education Center at Cape Cod Community College to make this 60-hour certification in Community Health Work available to Vineyard residents!

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted, frontline workers that play a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people in their communities. No special clinical education or training is needed to become a CHW. Community health workers have strong ties to individuals and families in their communities. Their role allows them to bridge clients to health and social services and increase access to services that their clients need. Through a variety of roles, CHWs bridge community members to better health and quality of life.

More details coming soon!

Let us know if you are interested in learning more about this training!

If you are a seasoned interpreter looking to expand your skill set, ACE MV is partnering with Embracing Culture to offer two certificate-bearing trainings: Advanced Note-Taking Skills for Interpreters, and Interpreting in Behavioral Health.