CCS to offer classes at Crosswalk

The Community Colleges of Spokane will offer classes at Crosswalk, a downtown emergency shelter for high school students dealing with homelessness, family conflict and mental health issues.

The colleges’ Institute for Extended Learning will allow students at Crosswalk the chance to complete their high school education or gain their General Education Development degree, commonly known as a GED.

“We see this as a tremendous opportunity to connect high-risk youth with potentially life-altering adult education services available through the IEL and Community Colleges of Spokane,” said Geri Swope, dean of instruction at the institute’s adult education and transitional studies division.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act forced the shelter to change its education program because the act prohibits the separation of homeless children from the mainstream population. Spokane Public Schools District will end the program this year.

The shelter’s education program, which started more than 20 years ago, works with about 70 students.

Crosswalk’s new summer quarter will begin on June 25.

“We are thrilled about this transition plan,” said Marilee Roloff, founding director of Crosswalk and current CEO of Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. “In addition to providing critical educational services to high-risk and homeless teenagers, we now can offer them a pathway to college.”

For more information, contact Geri Swope at (509) 533-4600 or Marilee Roloff at (509) 624-2378.