November 1, 2007

Westchester Community College Breaks Ground for Gateway Center

At yesterday's groundbreaking ceremony for the new Gateway Center at Westchester Community College, County Board Chair Bill Ryan said this education and resource center will address the very special needs of the county's immigrant population.

"Westchester has been the beneficiary of the world's greatest cultures," said Ryan. "The Gateway Center honors that legacy by helping newly arrived residents get the tools they need to pursue the American dream of a better life for them and their families."

The 70,000 square foot Gateway Center will combine language instruction, business programs, skills training, academic studies as well as other support services that focus on helping immigrant students gain access to skilled jobs in the workforce. The Center will also function as a cultural center for the county's increasingly diverse population.

	Click image to enlarge.

L to R: Shirley Phillips, VP, WCC Foundation, Paul Sacco, STV Construction, Susan Rodriguez, Lead Architect, Polshek Partnership, Andrew Spano, County Executive, Joseph Hankin, WCC President, Timothy Carey, Chairman of WCC Board of Trustees, William Ryan, Chairman of the Board of Legislators, Betsy Stern, Chair, WCC Foundation, David Swope, President, WCC Foundation.

Legislators Alvarado and Jenkins speak with Aleida Frederico, WCC Trustee.	Chairman Ryan speaks with David Swope and Timothy Carey, Chairman of the WCC Board of Trustees.	Chairman Ryan speaks with WCC President Joseph Hankin.

	Chairman Ryan speaks about the contributions of the foreign-born men and women who have immigrated to Westchester County. "Westchester continues to be the beneficiary of the world's greatest cultures from Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America...from all around the globe."

L to R: Legislator Burton, Chairman Ryan, Legislators Bronz and Alvarado, WCC President Joseph Hankin.

Chairman Ryan with Isabel Villar, Director, El Centro Hispano, Inc.	Chairman Ryan with Sergio Serratto, Student Representative on College Board of Trustees.

WCC Board Chairman Tim Carey, County Executive Andrew Spano, WCC President Joseph Hankin and Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan.