LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — New Hope Community, a nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), has partnered with the SUNY Sullivan ATTAIN Lab to offer a no-cost GED program for full-time employees.

"This initiative reflects New Hope’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and provides a valuable opportunity for team members who have not completed high school to further their education while advancing their careers," a press release reads.

After completing a job-specific training period, participants will have one year to earn their GED, with monthly support check-ins from a New Hope Community Human Resource team member.

A formal signing will take place at the SUNY Sullivan campus on Friday, September 5 at 10 a.m.

“It is our pleasure to partner with SUNY Sullivan in the provision of a GED program that will provide meaningful personal and professional growth for members of our valued workforce,” said New Hope Community CEO Karen Russell.

Dr. David Potash, SUNY Sullivan president, added, “SUNY Sullivan is proud to partner with New Hope Community to expand access to GED preparation and support. Together, we’re creating new opportunities for individuals to achieve their educational goals, strengthen their confidence, and open doors to college, career and lifelong success.”

About New Hope Community

New Hope Community is a not-for-profit human services organization that, for 50 years, has been providing supports for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

 Established in 1975 to serve as a nurturing and caring alternative to large institutions that were found to have violated the most basic human rights and conditions, New Hope Community has become recognized as a leading provider in the human services field, the press release continues. New Hope’s services include clinical and nursing care, residential services, day programming, community habilitation, selfdirection, support brokerage, service navigators, education, recreation and leisure activities, a robustly supported employment program, summer programs for youths, and more.

New Hope Community has always maintained a person-centered approach toward empowering the lives of people with disabilities and actively advocates for individual choice in a person’s efforts to live, work and participate fully in his or her community.

Learn more at www.newhopecommunity.org.