LYNN —The Lynn Community Enrichment Program announced it will be returning for its winter session and expanding its regular and certification-oriented classes during an open house on Thursday night at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.
Michelle Guzman, the coordinator of the program, said LCEP will offer classes on computer applications in English and Spanish, conversational Spanish, basic conversation to English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), public speaking and cooking and decorations to its regular class roster. Additionally, new classes such as paraprofessional certification and Microsoft Suite certification will be offered.
“It was very successful,” Guzman said about the open house. “I appreciated that, even in the cold weather, people still came and were engaged with what we offered.”
Around 40 people showed up to the open house, including Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, state Rep. Daniel Cahill, (D-Lynn), state Rep. Peter Capano (D-Lynn), state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), members of the Lynn Teachers Union and members of the 1199 SIEU United Healthcare Workers Union of Massachusetts.
“We are trying to engage with the community and engage with each other,” Guzman said. “That’s why we have different opportunities for job skills and certification classes.”
A similar presentation was shown to the School Committee on Jan. 27.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, who serves on the LCEP board, said he is impressed with the polish of the program and added that it highlights the enthusiasm Guzman has had in establishing the new opportunities.
“It is growing and evolving and I am glad to be a part of it,” Tutwiler said. “Every phone call that we have, every meeting we have, you can hear the enthusiasm and it is paying dividends.”
Guzman also serves as a board member along with former School Committee member, John Ford Jr.
LCEP is a night school for adults held at Lynn Tech that offers classes to residents of Lynn to help improve job skills, personal growth, and leisure. Classes are once a week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m, except for yoga which is available at 4 pm.
The program was first started in 2015 as a way to use Lynn Tech as a resource for the community and provide learning opportunities for the city’s adults.
Guzman said one of LCEP’s greatest strengths is its affordability for those with low income.
“We offer low-cost classes, only $65 per class,” Guzman said. “This makes classes and opportunities more available for those with lower incomes. There is nothing else like this program in Lynn.”
When asked about what her next goal was for LCEP, Guzman said she has set a goal to sign up more than 100 adults for classes this year.
“During COVID-19, we only had about 4 classes and not as many students as we did in years before,” Guzman said. “I’m going to try to get more than 100 students enrolled. That’s my goal.”
