Monday, May 20, 2013

Syracuse-area Adult Literacy Celebration - Wednesday, May 22

This Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., OCM BOCES will hold its 30th Annual (Syracuse-area) Adult Literacy Celebration and program graduation at the Palace Theatre (2384 James Street) in Syracuse. Hundreds of graduates from the OCM BOCES GED, External Diploma and other literacy programs will be invited to attend and be recognized for their accomplishments.

Student testimonials, illustrating their personal and educational struggles prior to coming to OCM BOCES, will be given by Ilhan Gowdha and Muhaimin Muhammad.

Ilhan Gowdha, originally from Somalia, has lived in Syracuse for just over one year. Before coming the United States, she spent two years in Kenya, where she was a representative for Somalian refugees. This included counseling victims of violence, and disseminating information and resources to her community. She  also performed interpreting duties for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after moving to Syracuse in February 2012, she enrolled at OCM BOCES and obtained her GED in March of 2013. She currently volunteers at the Northside Learning Center, and is very active in the Syracuse community. Ms. Gowdha plans to take pre-med classes at Syracuse University starting this summer.

Muhaimin Muhammad a native of Newark, New Jersey, is the second oldest of 13 children, son of Muntaqim and Latifah Muhammad. In 2000 Muhaimin moved to Rochester, New York. For the past 12 years, he has been a devoted and loving husband to Alnisa Muhammad and a loving and compassionate father of four children - two daughters, 21 year-old Khadijah and 20 year-old Haneefah Muhammad, and 13 year-old twin boys, Muhaimin and Samad.  He is also a grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren, whom he adores very much. Muhaimin is a very determined and hard working person. While he admits he has stumbled many times, he never gives up, finding strength within himself, GOD, and his family.

OCM BOCES will also recognize the Onondaga County Department of Correction as their 2013 Partner is Literacy at the celebration. Commissioner Timothy Cowin and Assistant Commissioner Dan Boyle will accept the award during the ceremony. For more information on the 30th Annual Adult Literacy Celebration, contact the OCM BOCES Adult and Continuing Education Program at 315-453-4466.

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