Catholic Charities opens career and education center in Merced

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- A vision come to life for Catholic Charities in Merced, finally, they are offering education and career services to those who need it the most.

"We really are mostly here for people who are down on their luck. They don't have anywhere else to go and they just need a little hand up," said Executive Director at Catholic Charities Kelly Lilles.

But they are not doing it alone, Merced College stepped up to make the center a reality.

"Get an education get a job, get a better education get a better job and so that is why we exist and that is what is going to transform this community as a whole," Merced College President Chris Vitelli.

The main classes they are offering are GED prep courses but also customer service, classes in life management skills, and if there is enough demand, English as a second language.

"We don't want them to just have a job, we want them to get something they enjoy that they're good at that they have upward mobility," said Lilles.

If you have a low education level or if you did not go to school that is no problem. Catholic Charities says it is dedicated to helping everyone succeed.

"We know that when people are productive our communities are better, we have got more people out there can be helping, volunteering, working being productive human beings, taking care of their families, setting good examples for their children and that is our goal," said Lilles.

If you want to sign-up you might want to do it sooner rather than later because classes start in one week.

Catholic Charities is looking at filling 24 spots and all you have to do to enroll is come down and register.