By Diana Scott

Last year 116 Carroll County residents came to Renew for support, life-skills workshops and educational funding. The majority of them were unsure of the next step to take. Should they go back to school? Advance their work skills? Get back into the work force? Try a career change?

Ms. Clark explains, "Renew has a variety of options to offer. We'll work with you on an individual basis to help you identify and meet realistic life and career goals. We also offer academic, career, and employment counseling; interest and skill assessments; the Myers-Briggs personality assessment; short-term personal support, workshops, and support groups."

Janet, whose husband left her after 25 years of marriage said, "For me, the biggest benefit I got out of Renew was the support group they put together. A group of seven of us met with the head of the program for about 10 formal sessions. That was in the spring of 2001. Six of us decided to stay together and have met twice a month ever since. The support has been immeasurable."

Seventy percent of current participants are between the ages of 35 and 45. "Eighty-eight percent of our clients come to us because they are separated or divorced," explained Ms. Clark, "and 92 percent of our clients have an income of less than $2000 a month, with a third of those in the $500 to $1000 category. With that thought in mind, we concentrate on providing our clients with ways to obtain marketable skills to parlay into a promotion or career change. We assist participants with interviewing skills, resumes, job referrals, and informational interviews. We're also able to refer those who come to us to other agencies and persons who will further help them to succeed in their search for a new job."

Erika went through a difficult separation and was the sole support of her family. When she, fearful and overwhelmed, arrived for her first Renew appointment in 1998 she was given "information and choices that were most valuable. I was shown where to find good legal representation. I was offered assistance paying for my first class. Most importantly, I had someone to talk to and I realized there were many women in my situation and that I was not alone."

"The majority of those who come to us have a high school diploma or some college," said Ms. Clark. "In many of these cases, we advise further education here at Carroll Community College and, depending on funding sources and the age of the client, we can provide tuition assistance."

Tanya explained that after separating from her husband of 13 years she visited the Renew office seeking guidance. "Renew assisted me with tuition assistance to take classes necessary for me to obtain my real estate appraisal license. I am now self-employed as an appraiser in the State of Maryland and am able to support my family and maintain self-sufficiency."

Renew provides funding for people who are 35 years of age or older. All ages are welcome to take advantage of workshops and other services.

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