“A movement to provide opportunities to empower individuals in their personal advancement and enable them to Impact their community.”  

 

This statement defines the mission of the Progressive Women’s Association of Harrison County.  In keeping with this mission, the PWA is presenting Sign Language Classes to children from 10 to 17 years of age. The classes started on Feb. 9 and will continue through March 29.

 

The instructor is Janel St.Martin and there are 12 children enrolled in the classes.

 

As PWA past president, I was searching for programs that would teach individuals, thus enabling them to make an impact on their community and came up with the sign language classes.  PWA Director, Elinda Carson wrote a grant for this program and Sacred Heart Children’s Group awarded the PWA the funds to present this program.

 

The classes start at 3:30 p.m. with wind down time and refreshments. Instructions start at 4 p.m. and continue for one hour.  The goal of these classes is to teach the basics of sign language.  At the last class a “Certificate of Completion” will be presented to each student.  It is the hope of the PWA that these students will pursue further skills in sign language.

 

Our group is also pursuing sponsors to present basic sign language classes for adults. The goal is to contact Harrison County, City of Clarksburg, and business offices in Clarksburg to encourage officials to appoint one or two individuals to attend these classes in order to assist those who might visit their office in need of signing. The classes would be held once a week at noon for eight weeks.  The classes are free, and lunch would be provided for those attending.

 

Betty Waddy, PWA president, encourages anyone interested in these classes to contact the PWA office at 304-624-6881 for early registration. She also would like to talk to anyone who might be interested in sponsoring this program for adults.  The PWA continues to serve the residents of Harrison County in fulfilling their mission.

 

Also, on Sunday, April 7, the PWA will be holding a ceremony to honor graduating students who are members of the Young Progressive Women’s Association. Betty Felts is the sponsor of this group and she too, will be honored.

 

Easter bread will be for sale by the PWA the week before Palm Sunday.  There will also be chocolate Easter eggs.  Place your orders by calling the PWA office at the number above.

 

Early voting will be starting soon.  We encourage you to get acquainted with the candidates, make your choice, and be sure to vote.

 

And finally, a little bird told me that spring is on its way.  Laura Goff supplied me with beautiful yellow tulips, which only reinforced what the bird told me.

 

Stay healthy, continue a good Lenten season and until next week, “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”