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New YWCA Programs Sure to Delight This Fall

The YWCA Princeton is thrilled to announce a bevy of new programs and services this fall. Class registration is now open with most classes beginning September 8^th, 2011.

“We are always developing new programs and classes. We are especially thrilled with our fall offerings this year,” announced Diane Hasili, YWCA Princeton spokesperson. “Based on the feedback of our members, they have been very pleased our classes and passionate instructors. With a wide range of programming for those just a few months old to those 85+, there truly is something for everyone.”

The Newcomers Club is hosting its Welcoming Coffee on August 25^th. For more than fifty years, the club has welcomed those who have moved to the area and those experiencing a life transition get acquainted with the area, engage in activities, and build life-long friendships.

A brand new program has been introduced, the Women’s Empowerment Series. It consists of three dynamic modules designed to promote, protect and prosper. It was designed to fit the lifestyles of a busy executive or a stay-at-home mom. Each seminar includes 4 sessions only and is offered in the evening and on Saturday. 

Promote Yourself* - Learn to put one’s best foot forward!  This class will teaches everything needed to create persuasive, lively, and entertaining presentations. Students will work on the skills that are essential to making effective presentations in job-related and social situations.  Instructor: Gordon A. Jacoby, is a legendary teacher of speech, diction and dialects and has taught Hollywood stars, including Anjelica Huston, Calista Flockhart, Olympia Dukakis, Nicolas Cage and Danny Glover.  Early registration is advised as seats are limited. Classes begin Thursday, October 6^th – 4 sessions for $85.

Protect Yourself* through Martial Arts.  Learn self-defense from two renowned Martial Arts instructors who teach how to use one’s own your body.  Increased self-assurance and confidence are just two benefits. Previous experience is not required. This seminar will be taught by taught by instructors Arthur Keintz and Emily Kwok who have over 20 years of experience and recognized leaders in the sport. Arthur has over 22 years of law experience and is a NJ State Police Training Commission certified and instructor. Emily is a world champion who holds multiple medals including a Pan Am medal. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. Classes begin, Saturday, October 8^th – 4 sessions for $85.

Prosper Financially – You and Your Money - is designed to students how to weather a variety of financial storms.  You and Your Credit Score ; Getting “Fiscally” Fit; Savvy Social Security, and Retirement Planning are topics that will be discussed in four interactive seminars.  Sessions are presented in an intimate setting to enhance your learning experience. Young adults, baby boomers, and seniors are encouraged to attend. Four FREE seminars with financial experts: Kevin L. Lynch, BCE, Retirement & Estate Planning Specialist (SOFA) and Marion Sommer, CFP, Sr. Financial Planner.  Space is limited.  Classes start Wednesday, November 16th – The financial sessions are FREE but require registration. Students do not have to be a YWCA member to participate in the financial sessions.  Contact draines@ywcaprinceton.org or (609) 497-2100 ext. 307 to register for the financial programs.

Also new, are the Musical Dance Theater Classes. Two popular musicals that are the rage among tweens, “Hairspray” and “Glee Club”, have been created and perfect for those aged 9 to12 years. Students will learn newly choreographed dances inspired by these popular TV shows and even host a performance at the end of the semester.

Brand new is the Introduction to Self-Defense where students learn the basic principles of self-defense through an art that places importance on leverage and technique over strength and size. Arthur Keintz with over 23 years in law enforcement and a certified NJ State Police training instructor, and Emily Kwok, an internationally recognized competitor, Pan Am medalist, and Canada’s first black belt to win a world championship title, instruct students on how to escape and control various situations. Uniform not required (students may come in athletic wear).

The strength of the YWCA’s English as a Second Language Program is its long history of providing language education  for nearly 90 decades. Current students represent 36 countries and speak 27 languages. It offers offer over 40 classes covering listening, speaking, reading and writing in addition to more advanced classes designed for those students in the higher levels and beyond. English through Pop Culture and the News, Culturally Speaking and Real English engage the student with current topics using authentic materials such as newspapers, magazines, videos, movies, the internet, TV and radio.

Quick Start English is a new course is ideal for au pairs and short-term visitors to the United Sates. It is designed to meet the needs of newcomers to with an academic background in English (reading and writing) but who may experience difficulty listening and speaking. Ideal for au pairs and short-term visitors, the class will run four days a week for two hours. There will be two six-week sessions during the fall. Students will also have an opportunity to take advantage of the YWCA’s computer lab with Rosetta Stone and avail themselves of the opportunity to converse with community volunteers on a daily basis and to participate in field trips. 

Also new this year is a GED Preparation Class, to address the ESL residents’ who need help with their English, Math, Social Studies and Science.  This and the YWCA’s citizenship preparation class are offered free under government grants and other funding.

This year students may also be eligible for 100% financial aid for all YWCA ESL literacy classes, which are developed for those who have difficulty reading and writing in their native language and those who have never studied English. 

The Princeton YWCA ESL program’s distinguishing feature is its capacity to offer enrolled students free additional sessions conducted by community volunteers. The events and activities provided to students encourage an “immersion-type” atmosphere in which students can practice their English skills beyond the classroom.

For more information or to register for classes, readers can visit www.ywcaprinceton.org or call (609) 497-2100 ext 0.