JWCC opens new Bella Ease location

QUINCY — John Wood Community College (JWCC) cut a green ribbon to open a location at the Bella Ease Community Complex, 707 Broadway, on Tuesday morning, marking an expanded commitment to provide access to college and career training for underserved students.

Bella Ease, a non-profit organization, offers community, family, youth and employment services. JWCC will offer GED classes, adult literacy, certified nursing assistant and classroom-based truck driver training courses. These offerings are part of grants received from the state, aimed at expanding educational opportunities that lead to family-sustaining careers. JWCC staff will provide academic, career exploration and financial aid support services at the new location.

JWCC first opened an adult education learning center at 509 Maine in 1985. Adult education services moved to 514 Hampshire in 2002. After a fire at the Hampshire location, the John and Wanda Lee Kinscherff family donated a building at 122 N. Fifth that housed GED, adult education, literacy and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. JWCC sold the building in 2019 and relocated those programs to its Quincy campus at 48^th and Harrison. 

The Bella Ease partnership re-establishes JWCC’s presence in Quincy’s downtown and marks an expansion of programs beyond GED and adult literacy to better serve students. The center will offer college courses and career training in addition to GED and literacy services. 

“Taking JWCC to the students where they are and eliminating transportation and cultural barriers is crucial for ensuring access to education and career training,” JWCC President Bryan Renfro said in a press release. “Partnering with Bella Ease allows us to reach and connect with more students and provides a supportive environment for their success. This location opens the door to a deepened partnership to help increase access and equity in education.”

Renfro said JWCC has partnered with Bella Ease on a community FAFSA filing and back-to-school fair collaboration. JWCC offered GED services to approximately 30 students at Bella Ease last year.

Bella Ease will lease space at JWCC’s centers in Pittsfield and Mount Sterling to increase the organization’s reach within the region.

“Bella Ease operates from a family-centered strategy. We promote healthy development and academic success for kids alongside adult services focused on parenting and financial stability,” Bella Ease Executive Director Cheryl Williams said. “This initiative with JWCC provides additional resources and support that individuals need to thrive.”

JWCC Manager of Community Education Monica Foster said JWCC’s most recent Illinois Community College Board Bridge grant will allow GED students to work simultaneously on career certificates and GED coursework. That will allow students to connect what they learn to a future career in healthcare or truck driver training. For qualifying students who enter and complete these programs at Bella Ease in fall 2024, tuition may be covered by limited grant funds.

“Our goal is to have students know that we are here for them, regardless of where they are in their educational journey,” Foster said. “We can help students bridge from GED to college courses, help a family navigate the college process for their children or help them get training to start a career. We want the community to know they can come to JWCC at Bella Ease if they have any questions about the college process, financial aid, scholarships, what questions to ask or where to start. We hope to deliver as many services at this location as possible.”

For more information for JWCC programs and services provided at Bella Ease, contact Foster at (217) 641-4962 or email mfoster@jwcc.edu.