91��Ƭ Helps Young Woman Achieve Dream of Automotive Career

Michelle Lang — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 19:07:00 +0000

Maa Efia Nyarkoa Ampiaw has always been interested in cars and decided she wanted to become a professional technician. The road to that career path has taken some time, but thanks to 91��Ƭ and her hard work, she has achieved her goal.

Ampiaw first came to the United States from Ghana in August 2017. She moved to Newark with her grandfather and enrolled in 91��Ƭ’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��Ƭ 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��Ƭ 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��Ƭ’s Financial Opportunity Center where Financial Coach Tamara Brown helped her set and achieve financial goals. Ampiaw recommends 91��Ƭ 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.

Remembering A 91��Ƭ Family Member

Michelle Lang — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 20:47:30 +0000

Lawrence (Larry) Coley was very involved with 91��Ƭ during his life. Photo courtesy of Courtney Coley.

Lawrence (better known as Larry) Coley was a big part of the 91��Ƭ family. He served as president of the Tenants Association at Commons Senior, where he spent many years as a resident; was president of the Senior Resident Leadership Council for 91��Ƭ; and was a long time member of the 91��Ƭ Credit Union Board. Coley died March 7 at the age of 86.

Coley was born in Linden and was raised by his grandmother, Henrietta Coley, in Orange. He was a member of the Air Force and served in the Korean War.

He went to cosmetology school and became a well known hair stylist in Harlem and Brooklyn. He owned his own beauty salon in Brooklyn, retiring in the early 1990s. He also served as an alderman when Cory Booker was mayor of Newark.

Coley’s mother, Marion Simpson, was very involved in Commons Senior and helped get him an apartment in the building in the 1980s. Coley eventually became the Tenants Association president for the building and later was the president of the Senior Resident Leadership Council for all of 91��Ƭ.

91��Ƭ Founder Monsignor William J. Linder knew Coley’s parents, who were influential in getting HUD to approve NCC’s nursing home project, Extended Care. Linder later worked with Coley for many years.

“He was a good guy, very calm and settling and very much on target with everything,” Linder said. “He was a quiet leader who included everybody in what he did.”

Lillie Rivers met Coley when she moved to Commons Senior in 1997.

“He was involved with everything,” she said.

Rivers helped form the Oldies But Goodies Club at Commons Senior and Coley would come to the group’s parties. He was president of the Tenants Association at the time and she joined that group as well.

“He was a very good friend, like a brother,” Rivers said. “You couldn’t help but to like him. He was that kind of a person.”

Rita Hudson, who has lived at Commons Senior for 10 years, said Coley was a nice person. “He got along with everyone very well,” she said. “And he loved his family.”

His daughter, Courtney Coley, moved to California with her mother when she was 8 but came to the East Coast to visit with her father. She said the visits, which continued into adulthood, were always a lot of fun. They included travel, shopping and eating all types of food.

“We’re all about hanging out and having a good time,” she said.

Courtney Coley described her father as well rounded and a people person.

“He had a good heart. He was willing to help people he could in any way,” she said. “It was important for him to be part of the community here at 91��Ƭ.”

After suffering a serious medical condition, Coley moved into 91��Ƭ Extended Care Facility in May 2016 where he stayed until his death.

His daughter said he enjoyed living at Commons Senior.

“He lived on the 14th floor for over 20 years. He had a great view out that window,” she said.

Coley leaves behind daughter Courtney Coley, her mother Karen Coley, grandson Devan Coley, great-granddaughter Devyn Madison Coley, son Jeffery Coley and his four daughters, sister-in-law Regina Boles, nieces Sharon Joyner and Atara Ashford, nephew Alfonzo Woodies IV and many friends.

Linden – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Helps Young Woman Achieve Dream of Automotive Career

Remembering A 91��Ƭ Family Member