YWCA to add High School Equivalency Diploma program

The Young Women’s Christian Association’s local chapter will introduce a High School Equivalency Diploma program as part of its educational offerings, after receiving program approval from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

YWCA Southeast Wisconsin centers on empowering women and includes workforce development in its core focus areas.

The new High School Equivalency Diploma program, intended to help individuals who have not completed high school secure a high school-level diploma, will be operated in the YWCA’s Community Adult Learning Lab, located at 334 W. Brown Street in Milwaukee. The learning lab is home to GED Certificate courses, personalized instructions and financial education and serves as a setting for Pearson Vue testing.

YWCA’s program, similar to other HSED programs in the state, will be open to Wisconsin residents who have lived in the state for at least 10 days or who are migrant workers. Program students must be at least 18½ years old and have not graduated from high school or currently be studying at a public or private high school. Students must also have had to previously tried to secure a GED Certificate.

Students must be referred to the HSED program by an adult education professional, such as a teacher, tutor or administrator, and must complete a Test of Adult Basic Education.

Additional economic and residential criteria apply to the program.

“Adding the HSED program to our list of services gives us yet another way we can help people access better job opportunities,” Paula Penebaker, president and chief executive officer of YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, said in a statement. “We have a great team assembled with the experience to deliver a strong program.”

The YWCA will partner with the Adult Learning Center to facilitate remediation classes for individuals needing significant academic help. The partnership will allow the YWCA to work with as many clients as possible and give them individualized attention when necessary.

Students who earn an HSED through YWCA’s program will have opportunities to continue their education at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which also partners with the organization by helping staff the Community Adult Learning Lab.

YWCA Southeast Wisconsin is still determining the launch date of the new program.