Community GED Classes

Foley Police Faulkner State City of Foley is using education to improve neighborhoods.

by Rose Ann Haven

Published: Tue, April 14, 2009 - 6:09 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, April 15, 2009 - 1:25 pm CST

People of all ages and backgrounds are coming together in the community of Aaronville for a common goal. They are working on earning their GED.
17 year old Diamond Robinson tells WKRG News 5's Rose Ann Haven, "I got kicked out of school so I didn't..It wasn't because of my grades, because of my behavior. So, I didn't just want to stop here, stop from foley high school..wanted to keep going."

Robinson managed to keep going thanks to a partnership between the South Baldwin Literacy Council, Faulkner State Community College, and The Foley Police Department. Teachers bring the classroom to the community every Tuesday and Thursday. Instruction is free at the Ginwright Community Center. Parents without childcare are encouraged to bring their children. Sergeant Richard Roper with the Foley P.D. says,
"It's not an excuse..Well, I don't have a babysitter. Well, you can bring your kid..so we have an area for the kids to sit. You can sit them right there. You know it's all abbut making it and making it better for your kids so if you feel like you wanna come and better yourself, this is the place to be."

Roper also lives in Aaronville. He goes door to door recruiting students for the program. "Instead of putting people in jail all the time what could we do so the thing was to come up with. You give them an education, a door will open, and there'll be less likely to commit a crime if they can go somewhere..fill out an application..get a job, and they could provide for their family, says Roper.

Turning his community around is personal to him, "Yeah it's personal. I want to see my neighborhood become the best you know, and I want to see people in my neighborhood in my surroundings move themselves up you know. Don't settle. Don't settle for anything. You have a choice".

After six months of classes, Diamond received her GED. She's making plans to attend Faulkner State and pursue her dreams of nursing. She hopes others will take advantage of the opportunity here too.

Diamond says, "They should do it. They really should because afterwards...I thought that when I first came...I didn't think that it was going to be..a reason like they could say they did something in the community. But, they really take their time and help you..and you will get it".

You don't have to live in Aaronville to participate. Diamond doesn't live there, just nearby. The Literacy Council, Faulkner State Community College, and The Foley Police Department plan to offer classes in other communities too.
For more information contact The Foley Police Department's Community Service Unit at 251.952.4010.

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