CELEBRATING DECADES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
Gwendolyn Myers—Class of 1996
Referred to GPOIC by: Passaic County Board of Social Services
My Name is Gwendolyn Myers and I am 54 years old. For years I was a stay at home mom with 12 children and receiving public assistance. I had very low self-esteem and couldn’t see myself doing any better. My life really started to change in 1996 when I received a letter from my Case Worker, Ms. Mattie Blackwell, informing me that I was scheduled for an eight-week life skills course. Little did I know that the life skills course was my gateway to OIC. I had been a stay at home mom for so long and was always kind of shy and untrusting of people and that made me very skeptical about being able to succeed in OIC.
At that particular time in my life I was going through a lot of personal turmoil so everyday I would go to school with a bag. No one knew this, but the bag I carried had clothing in it because of the instability at home. Unexpectedly something happened to me. I started to like coming to school everyday because I was learning so many new and different things. I also liked the interaction that I had with other adults. I thought that my life was finished but to tell you the truth my life had just begun. I finally became comfortable in my new environment and I began to open up to new things, learn new skills and I started to see myself in a different light. I realized that I can do this, I am a good person, not to mention a beautiful woman inside and outside and that’s when I started to love me. OIC taught me something I will never forget; I am the most important person in my life and that I can talk to anybody about anything and hold my head up high.
After graduating from the OIC program in 1996, I volunteered at OIC for a short period of time and I was eventually offered a position as a Program Assistant to work closely with Ms. Smith and Mr. Nutter. It may sound strange but I found a second family at OIC. Thanks to OIC I have my own car and no longer have to use the bus. I was also to obtain a bigger house for me and my children. I dreamt that it could be possible and now it is.
Natesha Eaton—Class of 1989
Referred to GPOIC by: Passaic County Board of Social Services
Natesha Eaton, a single mother of daughter Ashanti, wanted to enhance her skills in order to get a better paying job. She enrolled in the OIC program in 1989 where she gained invaluable computer and clerical skills. Upon graduation from the OIC program in 1989, Ms Eaton became employed at William Paterson University. Despite having to work two jobs to support herself and her child, Natesha still found time to take advantage of the educational benefits her employment at William Paterson University offered her. In the face of adversity, Natesha Eaton graduated from William Paterson University in 2005 with her Bachelor’s of Science degree thanks to her start and motivation from OIC.
The OIC Associates congratulates Natesha on her accomplishments and recognizes her as one of its Champions.
Jacqueline Ghee—Class of 1990
Referred to GPOIC by: Passaic County Board of Social Services
As a single mother of two, the OIC gave me a chance to dream again. I was under the impression that I missed my voyage to higher education; however, OIC was my vehicle to academic exploration.
After obtaining a Certification of Completion from OIC in 1990, I was employed at Prudential Insurance Company as a Data Entry Clerk. I was employed four years when I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and had two surgeries on my right arm. After the surgery, I was forced to resign. I was encouraged and motivated by Mr. Nutter and Ms. Smith to further my education, so I applied to Passaic County Community College in the fall of 1996 and graduated with a Human Services degree in 1999. I then applied to New Jersey City University where I earned a Bachelor’s in Sociology and minor in Women’s Studies in 2001. With OIC’s drive embedded in my heart, I continued my education and earned a Master’s in Social Work from Kean University in 2004. I completed my academic career with honors in addition to receiving numerous awards of distinction.
Professionally, I have been blessed to counsel/mentor other young women who are striving to fulfill their academic, personal, and professional goals. I have advanced from a student to an Adjunct Professor and now an administrator at Hudson County Community College. OIC has armed me with the tools necessary to remember where I started and help others advance to their fullest potential. Thank You OIC!!!
On July 30, 2005, God blessed me with one of his own, Deacon Freddie Ghee Jr. We were happily married for seven months when God called him home on February 14, 2006. Although I love and miss him dearly, I know that God makes no mistakes and the work of the Lord must go on.
Andrea Becote Jones—Class of 1992
Referred to GPOIC by: Passaic County Board of Social Services
Andrea Becote Jones is married to John James and mother of Ashley and Audrey Jones. Mrs. Jones was enrolled at Greater Paterson OIC where she took classes that enhanced her clerical and computer skills. Upon completion of the OIC program, Andrea became employed at Calvary Baptist Community Center Pre-School in April 1 992. She currently serves as the Executive Secretary for the Pre-School Center at Calvary Baptist.