The Retention Team, under the direction of NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray, is currently made up of four members. The team meets each Thursday to discuss attendance and which students have been chronically absent. While students who are absent receive a phone call that day, Andrea Kelly and Odette Phillip, who serve as Student Success Coaches and are members of the Retention Team, dig deeper to find out what is causing the absences and if there is support that they can offer to overcome any obstacles.

When a student communicates a barrier, the Retention Team member refers them to the identified resource that is needed. Referrals can be to the Family Resource Success Center, which provides assistance with food, transportation and housing referrals; Family Service Bureau of Newark (FSB), which offers mental and behavioral health services; the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), which helps clients improve their financial situations; or Career Services, which helps students obtain employment.

The Retention Team is not just involved with students who are having difficulty making it to class, however. Team members consistently reach out to all students to keep them on track, provide support should any issues arise and cheer them on when they are doing well. Contact is usually by phone and email.

���The Retention Team is a proactive solution-oriented process whose purpose is to involve all parties in the student educational cycle from Admissions to Career Services/planning; in providing an equitable, positive, problem-solving approach to assist students, families and teachers in developing effective solutions, identify instructional strategies, interventions and/or supports that may resolve or alleviate academic, behavioral, career planning and/or social-emotional needs,��� McCray said. ���The creation of the Retention Team leads to a continuum of educational programming and services for maximizing student success within the school environment while limiting or eliminating the barriers that prevent them from meeting the goal of completion. Over time, I believe this team will continue to see more positive results from their efforts.���

The team is also involved with campus student events. The first such event, the Student Appreciation Luncheon, was held on Oct. 27. Students from all programs gathered at the Main Campus, along with staff members and instructors, to enjoy lunch and each other���s company. It was also the first opportunity for some of the students to meet members of the Retention Team in person, particularly those in the Automotive Technician and Building Trades Specialist programs, which are held at the NCCTI Training Center.

The event also included the awarding of a certificate recognizing perfect attendance for the month of September. The hope is that seeing a peer getting recognized will motivate other students to come to class consistently.

Feedback from the event has been positive.

���Students spoke to me and they were really appreciative of it,��� Phillip said. ���They didn���t see it as just a sandwich.���

The Retention Team also arranged for students to get bags of candy on Halloween and is planning events around Thanksgiving and Christmas that will provide more opportunities for students to mingle with those in other programs.

Building that camaraderie among students in all areas of study will help to keep students engaged and hopefully coming to class.

���They have to feel when they come here, that they belong,��� Phillip said. ���This is not just a classroom to do this and get out. We have to make them want to come here. And that���s where we���re going.���

Holding students accountable for their punctuality and attendance is beneficial to their future as well. When they enter the workforce, employers will expect them to come to work on time each day and communicate promptly if an unexpected situation arises.

���I’m glad that we now have a Retention Team that works together to ensure that students attend classes each day and on time,��� said NCCTI Registrar Ramona Galley, who is also a member of the Retention Team. ���Most of our students are young and many of them are dealing with all kinds of problems (personal, housing, health, financial), and we point them to many different resources that can help them while in the program here. The team often has one-on-one meetings with students to discuss barriers and a plan for successful completion.���

Helping students on their journey to a successful career is rewarding for members of the Retention Team.

���When a student who wasn���t coming or was lapsing, that person is there now doing what they���re supposed to do. That satisfaction that I touched that student and it���s working,��� Phillip said.

Kelly sends students inspirational quotes to help motivate them. While it might seem small, the messages have resulted in positive interactions.

���I know two people that did respond. One said thank you and the other actually needed help. And we got her the help that she needed,��� Kelly said.��

The efforts of the Retention Team are meant to help students succeed and reach their full potential.

���We always want what���s best for them,��� Kelly said.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician and Culinary Arts Specialist. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

Greater Newark LISC Deputy Director Judith Thompson-Morris explained that LISC is expanding its programs to other parts of the state, starting with the FOC. The organization has plans to create FOCs in Camden, Elizabeth, Perth Amboy and Trenton.

The initiative has been in process for about two years and is now close to kickoff. The visit to 91心頭���s FOC was an opportunity to show partners how the program works in a practical way.

���You can explain what the FOC model is, but we thought it would be helpful for them to see and hear from the partners in the Newark footprint who have been doing this work for a while,��� Thompson-Morris said.

While all LISC FOCs follow a particular framework, Thompson-Morris explained that each site has unique aspects to match the partner���s work in the neighborhood. For example, 91心頭���s FOC is tied to its career and technical education program at NCCTI, a service not every FOC partner offers.

NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray welcomed the visitors on June 27 and provided an overview of how the FOC operates. Then Financial Coach Tamara Brown went into greater detail about how she works with clients and answered the participants��� questions.

91心頭 Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter was also on hand to greet the guests and provide a brief explanation of NCC as a whole.

���The LISC partner site visit presented a wonderful opportunity for the staff at NCCTI to discuss the FOC program. FOC staff provided a robust discussion that included outreach activities, program enrollment, measuring success and the future vision,��� Hunter said. ���The success of the FOC program can be measured by the clients��� increased knowledge of their financial potential. Positive outcomes include improvements in job placement due to job coaching sessions, improved personal credit scores and financial plans that increase clients��� net value.���

McCray was happy to host the agency representatives.

���It was a good opportunity to meet other partners who are also committed to working with the community in understanding financial health, stability, growth and wealth legacy building for their future generations,��� McCray said. ���I look forward to our continued collaboration with not only LISC but its partners across New Jersey and the United States.���

Brown believes increasing the number of FOCs in the state is positive for residents, particularly those with limited financial resources.

���Access to having a financial coach is an important resource for low-income and moderate-income families,��� she said. ���In the past, a lot of wealth-building information was only available to the rich and the very few. The prospect of adding more Financial Opportunity Centers means more access to financial education and wealth-building services for everyday people.���

Four groups that will be launching FOCs participated in the event, both in-person and virtually: Center for Family Services in Camden, Isles Inc. in Trenton, Union County Department of Human Services in Elizabeth and United Way of Central Jersey in Milltown which will operate the Perth Amboy FOC.

Thompson-Morris said the Perth Amboy location will likely be the first new site since Congressman Frank Pallone secured funds in a federal bill for that FOC location. It could become operational in the fall.

There are currently three LISC FOCs in Newark: at 91心頭, Ironbound Community Corporation and Urban League of Essex County.

Since 1986, Greater Newark LISC has collaborated with community-based organizations in Newark and the surrounding region to improve the quality of life for residents and shopkeepers.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business & Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

Ampiaw first came to the United States from Ghana in August 2017. She moved to Newark with her grandfather and enrolled in 91心頭���s Adult Learning Center. After successfully completing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Levels 1 and 2 and the High School Equivalency (HSE) course, she enrolled in the Diesel Technician program at 91心頭 Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), where she learned the skills necessary to become both a diesel and automotive technician.

She graduated from the program in March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold on the area. Despite that challenge, Ampiaw began her job search and didn���t give up. Her persistence paid off. Staff at NCCTI helped arrange an interview with Bridgestone-Firestone and she was hired as an automotive technician at the Linden location in January 2021.

���Maa Efia is a very hardworking and determined young lady who epitomizes what 91心頭 can provide through our organizational comprehensive services,��� said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. ���She earned her high school diploma through our Adult Learning Center, received excellent vocational skills training through our Diesel Technician program and was able to connect to a nice job opportunity with Bridgestone-Firestone Automotive Repair Center to start her career in the automotive and diesel industry.���

In her role, Ampiaw has a variety of responsibilities, including fixing tires and performing oil changes. She enjoys the work and the atmosphere at her job.

���If you don���t understand something, they are there to help and you learn more,��� she said. ���Everybody helps each other.���

Staff members at Bridgestone-Firestone are happy to have her on board.

���Maa has been a wonderful addition to our team here at Firestone in Linden, N.J. She has a terrific attitude which makes it easy to work with her,��� said Store Manager Shane Allen. ���Maa is dependable, punctual and very eager to learn, all attributes which will bring her success now and throughout her career in the automotive industry.���

The world of professional technicians is dominated by men, but that hasn���t stopped Ampiaw from pursuing her dream. She is the only female at her current job, but she hopes more women enter the field if they are passionate about it.

���Sometimes it���s tough because everywhere you look, there are guys,��� she said. ���I pray that it will change. When I was at NCCTI, there were four females. I had three in my class and one in the auto class.���

Ampiaw���s advice for others is for them to follow their dreams and work hard.

���Whatever you���re doing, give it 100 percent,��� she said.

She has followed her own advice. Maureen Cooper was her instructor at the Adult Learning Center, teaching an all-inclusive HSE class, and knew Ampiaw could accomplish her goals.

���Maa Efia entered my classroom with a friendly smile and a whisper but by the end of the class session, she was a strong positive force,��� Cooper said. ���When she returned for the second session, she was on a mission; get her HSE Diploma, get a skill and get a good-paying job. It was never a question of if, just when.���

Brutton believes that this is the first step in what will be a successful career for Ampiaw, citing her work ethic and mechanical skills that she learned from NCCTI instructors John Zaccheus and Winston Thomas.

���The opportunity at Bridgestone-Firestone is just the beginning of Maa Efia���s long-term career in the automotive repair industry,��� Brutton said. ���She���s destined for greatness.���

Ampiaw is grateful for the education she received at both the Adult Learning Center and NCCTI. She also took advantage of 91心頭���s Financial Opportunity Center where Financial Coach Tamara Brown helped her set and achieve financial goals. Ampiaw recommends 91心頭 programs and services to others.

���I really thank them for helping me achieve my dream,��� she said. ���And they���re still there for me no matter the circumstances.���

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

The Adult Learning Center serves students 16 and older and out of the school system with a comprehensive array of day, evening and Saturday educational programs in order to prepare them for a vocational or college education. For more information, call 973-558-5536 or visit newcommunity.org. The school is located at 563 Orange St., Newark, but classes are currently being conducted via Google Meet because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

So far in 2020, the FOC helped 80 clients achieve credit score increases and assisted with over 40 job placements, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

���NCCTI���s work extends beyond providing quality training services and connecting students to good careers. It also entails sharing valuable tools and educational services to help them make wise financial decisions,��� said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton.��

Kaitlin Brant is one graduate who benefited from NCCTI���s offerings. She enrolled in the Patient Care Technician program, which she completed in 2019, and took advantage of the financial education the FOC provides.

Financial Coach Tamara Brown gave a presentation in Brant���s class about what credit is and how to boost your score. During the presentation, Brown mentioned the LISC Twin Accounts, which is a credit-building tool for low- to moderate-income individuals. Participants receive a $300 loan which is put in a locked savings account until the loan is paid off. Participants must make 12 on-time monthly payments, which are matched, so at the end of the 12-month period, they have a total of $600 and an increased credit score since they have a year���s worth of on-time payments.

Brant was eligible for the LISC Twin Accounts and successfully participated in the program. She has seen her credit score increase with her participation and also from paying off her student loans.

���I was able to boost my credit from fair to good. And this is starting off with me not even knowing what credit was,��� Brant said.

In addition to the LISC Twin Accounts, Brown offers other tools to her FOC clients. She holds educational workshops, which are now virtual because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She shares resources about how to dispute incorrect information on credit reports and talks with clients about their financial goals and how to achieve them. The FOC also helps with job placement so clients can obtain higher-paying positions.

After graduating from NCCTI, Brant was hired at St. Joseph���s University Medical Center in Paterson as a Patient Care Assistant. She was previously working at Checkers Restaurant and received a significant hourly wage increase when she switched jobs. That along with an increased credit score helped Brant to move to a nicer apartment.

���Kaitlin was steadfast in her commitment to improve her credit. Her hard work paid off when she was able to access better housing,��� Brown said. ���Kaitlin is a pleasure to work with and the skills she learned will continue to open doors for her in the future.���

NCCTI also provides the Bridges to Career Opportunities program with support from LISC, which includes a period of ���contextualized bridge training.��� The instruction focuses on industry-relevant material to teach and reinforce academic skills in a way that more readily prepares students for their future careers. Brant and her classmates participated in the program by learning computer skills specifically for health care workers.

Brant is grateful for everything she has learned from NCCTI.

���The knowledge that Ms. Tamara gave us, teaching us about credit and financial literacy, plus the education that the school provided for us, that together is enough to help us thrive and move up another step within the world,��� she said.

Brant plans to share the knowledge she has learned with others, including her young daughter.

���I have a lot of friends who really don���t understand credit because they don���t really teach it in school,��� she said. ���With the knowledge that I have, I just want to move forward with it, learn more about it and spread it to anybody who doesn���t know about it.���

In addition to the FOC, Brant also utilized the services of the Family Resource Success Center while enrolled at NCCTI, including free tax preparation and other benefits that she was eligible for.

���The school helped in every way possible and I really appreciate them for that,��� Brant said. ���I would really urge and suggest students take advantage of the opportunities.���

Brant recommends NCCTI, saying the programs are short-term, graduates often launch a successful career and students can improve their financial standing.

���Kaitlin is one of many who benefited from our Financial Opportunity Center,��� Brutton said. ���We thank our funding partners: Greater Newark LISC local office, LISC national office, Citi Foundation and Capital One Bank. NCC���s success is directly related to their confidence in our work.���

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

After graduating from high school, Williams entered the workforce because he didn���t want to take on the high debt associated with attending college. After several years, however, he decided to pursue additional education to increase his earning potential.

���I wanted to explore a trade school option to see if I could find an affordable one,��� Williams said.

After doing online research, Williams found NCCTI which was conveniently located for him since he lives in Newark.

���When I looked on the website and saw the programs and saw it costs an amount of money that would be more reasonable and could be paid off, I decided to go there,��� he said.

That decision has paid off. Williams completed the Building Trades Specialist program in the spring, where he learned the basics of carpentry, electrical and plumbing, and then opted to take a short solar panel installation course through Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC). He started working as a solar panel technician for Solar Energy Systems at the beginning of June where he installs solar panels on commercial buildings full-time.

NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton said Williams is one of the school���s many successes.

���Terrell is a smart young man with an eagerness to learn and a commitment to putting in the work. Those attributes and characteristics allowed him to get the opportunity with Solar Energy Systems,��� Brutton said. ���It was beyond a pleasure having Terrell as a part of our Building Trades program.���

While Williams was skeptical at first that he would be able to learn the basics in the three areas of carpentry, electrical and plumbing, he felt prepared upon completing the program at NCCTI and recommends the school to others.

���In my head, I thought it was going to be impossible to teach all these things in this short period of time, but they ended up teaching us all the basics,��� Williams said.

Williams had the opportunity to participate in the solar panel course because 91心頭 is part of the Newark Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) network, which includes NCC, ICC and the Urban League of Essex County. The Greater Newark LISC office provides funding support and technical assistance to all the FOCs in the network. Organizations in the network share their program information with each other and invite participation.

���We really appreciate the partnership with ICC and our FOC agencies for the work they do and for creating this wonderful opportunity for Terrell,��� Brutton said.

At just 24 years old, Williams is well on his way to a successful career in a growing industry.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

Reese has been interested in the medical field since she was a young girl. Her grandmother was diabetic and she would help her. When her grandmother went to a nursing home, she would visit often, helping her and interacting with the other residents. She said she also became interested in the medical field because her father���s side of the family has heart issues, including her father who had a bad heart condition at the time of his death.

���I always wanted to work at a hospital because I wanted to help people,��� Reese said. ���When I was a little girl, I used to play with my dolls. I would sit them all around and pretend that I was their doctor.���

So when she graduated high school, after attending both West Side High School in Newark and Irvington High School, Reese researched area nursing programs and came across NCCTI. She was still 17 when she graduated, so she waited until her 18th birthday last October and filled out an application. Because NCCTI offers open enrollment, she was able to start class in February and graduated in August.

Reese has overcome some challenges. She has a 3-year-old son to support and has experienced homelessness. But that didn���t stop her from following her dream of working in a hospital.

���Denayah Reese is one of our shining stars. We are pleased to consider her as one of our successful graduates and alumni,��� said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. ���We welcome recent high school graduates who are looking for a valuable education option other than college and Denayah is a young lady that epitomizes who we���re looking to enroll in our school.���

Reese credits NCCTI with preparing her for the working world and helping her find employment. Her main course instructor was Maha Koltowski, who she said was extremely helpful and accommodating.

���I never had a teacher as good as Dr. Maha. I had some good teachers, but she was a great teacher,��� Reese said. ���Dr. Maha was willing to stay late so we could make up our hours, catch up on things we may not understand, if we wanted to go to the laboratory. She was willing to do it.���

Koltowski said Reese was a model student, taking copious notes and sharing them with her classmates, paying attention to demonstrations and volunteering to try procedures first. She sees a bright future for Reese.

���She was one of the best students,��� Koltowski said of Reese. ���I expect her to be an RN one day. And I���m encouraging her to complete her studies.���

In addition to the knowledge Reese gained from the program, NCCTI helped her in other ways as well. She received a voucher for Career Closet to obtain professional attire to wear on her interview from Joann Williams-Swiney, NCCTI Income Support Specialist and Director of the Family Resource Success Center. Brutton connected Reese and her classmates to human resources personnel at a number of area hospitals and then followed up on the status of their applications once they applied. Reese also met with Financial Coach Tamara Brown in the Financial Opportunity Center and plans to return for additional guidance in a few months.

���The whole experience was great. Everybody was nice and welcoming. I felt comfortable with everybody. I could come to anybody in any situation regardless of if it was about school or anything else. They were there to help,��� Reese said. ���I���ve never been to a school where they care about you this much.���

Reese recommends NCCTI to others. She knows three current PCT students that she referred.

���I made sure that I advertised it in a positive way because the school has benefited me in a great way,��� she said.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

Short graduated from NCCTI���s Building Trades Specialist program in 2018. He started working for Irvington Housing Authority at the beginning of 2019 as a repair person and then was promoted to head of grounds. The property he works on is large and he is responsible for making sure it has good curb appeal with a manicured lawn and trimmed hedges. As part of his job, he provides other employees assignments as well.

Going through the Building Trades Specialist program prepared Short for his current position and the education was more than just learning the skills of carpentry, electrical and plumbing.

���They have the other part that goes along with it. The critical thinking, cognitive thinking, being able to accept the situation and not crumble,��� Short said.

He also saw instructor William Robinson as more than just a teacher.

���He���s also like a father figure,��� Short said.

Robinson said Short excelled in the classroom and believes he will have a successful career.

���He was a dedicated student who was always willing to try new things,��� Robinson said. ���He was very precise and meticulous in all his shop work, which will take him far in his endeavors.���

Short recommends NCCTI to others looking to gain new skills.

���The whole program and everything 91心頭 has to offer people is really good,��� he said. ���If more people took advantage of it and stepped into the doors and see what they have going on, I think there would be a lot more successes.���

NCCTI Student Services Coordinator/Case Manager Ronald Prysock said Short overcame a number of barriers to complete the Building Trades Specialist program.

���Ernest will do well in his career endeavors because of his determination to succeed,��� Prysock said.

In addition to the instruction, NCCTI helps students sign up for services if needed. Short said there were a few students in his class without health insurance who received assistance signing up for it and others who were able to sign up for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

���We are so proud of Ernest,��� said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. ���He participated in our Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) program by accessing income support services, signing up for medical benefits and meeting one-on-one with our financial coach. NCCTI is proud to count Ernest as an alumni.���

Short still lives in Newark and is a single dad with full custody of his two younger children, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. He also has an older son who is 19. He���s grateful to be able to provide for his children.

���You can walk into 91心頭 and be helped with all aspects,��� Short said. ���I���m one of those people. I literally grew up in back of 274 [South Orange Ave.]. I watched them build up. I played on the foundations before Harmony House and before 274. And I ended up walking in those same doors and it helped me get a better outlook on life and get help with life.���

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.