Author: Press Release

A certificate program offered through an educational alliance between Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and La Cocina VA, a nonprofit organization that generates workforce and economic development, will allow unemployed Hispanics to obtain skills in the food service industry and improve their employment opportunities.

La Cocina VA and NOVA recognize the additional challenges that the 2.2 million unemployed members of Hispanic communities often face in job attainment, such as low English proficiency and lack of access to training programs. Frequently, occupational training programs are not targeted toward groups who have limited English skills or low educational attainment. This further prevents Hispanic immigrants from gaining the skills they need to obtain a sustainable income and pursue a growing career path.

April is Litter Awareness Month in Prince William County, which means that it’s officially time for spring cleaning to begin. There are several events planned throughout the month to help bring attention to the “dirty” topic of litter, which does not get much attention throughout the year.

“Litter looks bad,” said Prince William County Solid Waste Division Chief Thomas Smith. “If you’re jogging, riding a bike or walking, and you see litter, it just gives you a bad feeling. It gets into our lakes and our streams; and it affects animals and fish in our habitats. It’s just bad, not only for our community, but for our environment, as well.”