Fedcap Celebrates Achievements of 2013 Graduates at Ceremony at Harlem's World Famous Apollo Theater, Tuesday, June 18 at 11 a.m.

NEW YORK, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --  Fedcap will mark the achievements of more than 400 individuals who have completed its job training programs in a graduation ceremony today at the World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The graduates include many individuals working to overcome barriers to employment such as physical and mental disabilities, youth aging out of foster care, the homeless, veterans, the formerly incarcerated and older adults. The graduates completed programs in Fedcap's Career Design School, which include training in security, office skills and data entry, custodial services and culinary arts, as well as graduates from Fedcap's Home Care training and GED Prep program. Their graduation opens the door to job placement, many in Fedcap's own businesses, and Fedcap provides support services to enhance job retention.

"The 2013 Graduation is a triumph in personal courage and determination," said Fedcap President and CEO, Christine McMahon.  "For most of our students, a graduation was beyond imagination for them or their families."

The program featured two Fedcap alumni and two 2013 graduates. Their personal stories demonstrate how training and support services help individuals triumph over personal barriers to become economically independent individuals who are now able to support their families and build strong communities.

Fedcap alumna Vietta Horton, who graduated from the Home Health Aide training program twenty years ago, is a Hurricane Sandy hero.  She was caring for her patient, 92 year old Connie Moscarella, who has Parkinson disease and is wheelchair bound, when the hurricane hit New York City. The building lost power including elevator service for more than a week and the patient was confined to her home in the 11^th floor of a high rise building.  Ms. Horton never left her patient for six days and walked up and down 11 flights to bring up water from the lobby. 

Her selflessness is typical of the hundreds of home health aides trained by Fedcap.

The Corporate Partnership Award will be presented to two Fedcap employers ABM and Fairway Market. A Fairway cashier and graduate of a Fedcap program, Lisa Brown, will present the Award.

Lisa Brown's story is an example of how life can change in an instant.  She had a long career in retail sales and raised five daughters and three sons. But in 2006, was seriously injured when a car hit her after its driver lost control.

Ms. Brown couldn't work for two years and eventually lost her home.  With her youngest son she was forced to move into a family shelter. In February 2012, she enrolled in Fedcap's Career Design School.

"I love my job at Fairway," said Ms. Horton. "Now I am finally able to move out of a shelter in Crown Heights Brooklyn, and into a private residence in Coney Island."

"The story of each 2013 graduate who is working to overcome barriers is an inspiration," said Ms. McMahon.

The ceremony, held at the World Famous Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th St  New York, NY 10027, will begin at 11:00 a.m. and end approximately 12:30 p.m.

About Fedcap

Fedcap helps people break through barriers to achieve long-term economic security through four Practice Areas: Economic Development, Education, Occupational Health and Workforce Development. Our programs and operations bring education and the power of work to youth in transition, adults with conviction histories, veterans, individuals with disabilities and many others facing barriers to employment. We place people in jobs across a wide variety of sectors and employ more than 1,800 in our own businesses. Fedcap is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information call 212-727-4200 or visit www.fedcap.org. Follow Fedcap on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/fedcap) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/Fedcap).

Contact: Jesse Dean
Phone: 646-206-3090
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Fedcap