Schwartz To Direct ‘Pride’ Program

WESTPORT — Cheryl Schwartz of Newtown has been appointed director of Pride, a program that provides training in basic job skills and attitudes. The program is an outgrowth of commitment of the Interfaith Housing Association of Westport/Weston (IHA) to provide clients in shelters and other housing programs with the support services needed to achieve self-sufficiency.

“We are pleased to be turning over the leadership of the Pride program to someone with Cheryl’s experience and in-depth knowledge of resources in our community and nearby towns,” said Dr Peter R. Powell, IHA president.

“As Cheryl Schwartz helps Pride begin its second year of service to the men and women in our area who are at risk, we look forward to strengthening our own program by integrating it more extensively with the services offered by other agencies and individuals,” Dr Powell said.

Ms Schwartz holds both a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Hofstra University and a master’s degree in social work from Southern Connecticut State University. She has been providing career counseling services since 1978 and has extensive experience designing and implementing career programs for industry, schools, and social service agencies. She also offers a full range of career counseling services through her own private practice.

The Pride program is an intensive three-week program that is offered four times a year. The first week helps individuals get more in touch with who they are, explores the world of work, and matches individuals with appropriate career possibilities. The second week focuses on work attitudes, proper job behavior, appropriate business attire, job applications, and interviewing skills. The final week is devoted to job search skills and resume writing.

Since its inception, the Pride program has included a follow-up component, in which participants receive help with their personal job search. Ms Schwartz is working to expand the job placement assistance available to Pride graduates.

“We are trying to organize a Pride job bank, to help our graduates,” she said. The new director also is working to increase the familiarity of other agencies with the Pride program. About 25 percent of program participants come from IHA shelters or housing programs; the remainder are referred by other agencies.

In keeping with her commitment to integrating community resources with Pride, Ms Schwartz has invited area professionals with relevant experience to speak to the program participants. One recent speaker was Doug Garni, an IHA board member and Pride volunteer, whose employer, UBS-Warburg, recently awarded Pride a $500 volunteer grant.

Ms Schwartz lives in Newtown with her husband, Stephen, an employee of General Electric Corporation. The Schwartzes have two daughters, Karen, 11, and Jessica, 20.