DSC Celebrates 40th Anniversary Of The Center For Men & Women

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Daytona Beach, FL - Daytona State College’s Center for Women and Men (CfWM) celebrated its 40th anniversary of serving students with speakers and a reception on Dec. 1 on the Daytona Beach Campus.

Located in the Greene Center, the CfWM has come a long way since its 1976 opening, the result of a vision shared by now retired faculty members Dot Moore and Ellen O’Shaughnessy, who were honored during the event. Originally created to help remove barriers to education for women, their mission was founded on the premise that education and workforce training in a supportive and nurturing environment can lead people out of the binds of poverty and uncertainty into a life of independence, self-sufficiency and purpose.

“For decades, the center focused on helping displaced homemakers with little-to-no work experience, women who because of divorce, widowhood or other circumstances would come to learn new life skills, gain self-confidence and train for employment,” said Erin LeDuc, who recently joined the center as its new director. “Today, the center also serves men, reflecting an expanded mission and scope dedicated to serving the needs of all students seeking to find their place in the ever-changing social and economic landscapes of our communities.”

Through anchor programs such as Fresh Start, New Directions and CCAMPIS, the Center for Women and Men has provided hope and a springboard to better lives for countless Volusia and Flagler County residents. Over the years, it has expanded its scope of services, becoming a hub where all students in need can seek out services and help in one central location.

The center’s new Falcon Fuel food pantry is helping to mitigate food insecurity among DSC students, an issue that, along with homelessness, has become a growing concern with colleges and universities across the nation.

The center also provides temporary emergency bus passes to help students get back and forth to classes, and a lending library helps students offset the cost of textbooks. Further, students wanting to achieve a professional image for job interviews can use the center’s Clothes Closet to look their best.