NO. 2 2011 - Securitas

First, we give the family a safe and secure environment,
and then we begin addressing their other needs. the
goal is to provide the education, training, life skills
and encouragement they need to succeed in their work,
family and community life.”
Wanda Acevedo, director of Programs for the non-profit agency
Wilson Commencement
Park, conceptualized
by the Family Foundation
of Xerox founder Joe
Wilson and his wife, Peggy, in
1991, has become a nationally
recognized model for successfully
guiding homeless families
to self-sufficiency and financial
independence. Families have
the opportunity to live in one of
Wilson Commencement Park’s
68 two- and three-bedroom
townhouses and apartments
for up to two years, working
with Family Life Coaches who
develop an Individual Program
Plan for each resident.
Family Life Coaches help residents
set and achieve education
and training goals, effectively
budget and manage money,
and gain and retain meaningful
employment. Longer-term, they
also assist residents with transportation
needs and with locating
and transitioning to permanent
housing. Weekly Life Skills Academy
workshops on parenting,
health and wellness issues, and
personal growth enable residents
to gain the skills and confidence
that promote self-sufficiency.
And, a Residents’ Council meets
monthly to discuss issues and
share ideas for improving Wilson
Commencement Park as a
community.
Wilson Commencement Park’s
Early Learning Center (ELC),
accredited by National Association
for the Education of Young
Children under new rigorous
standards, offers affordable
child care for all Rochester-area
children age six weeks to 12
years old. More than 150
children participate in the
ELC programs, including the
pre-kindergarten and school-age
tutoring programs, as well as the
learning center’s literacy-based
summer camps.
tightening security
Two years ago, Securitas USA
Branch Manager Kenneth
Rolland suggested some
changes at Wilson Commencement
Park designed to better
document the residents, children,
parents, teachers, administrators,
case workers, staff members,
(Left page) Wanda Acevedo,
director of Programs at
Wilson Commencement
Park, supervises playtime for
children attending the Early
Learning Center program.
At the lobby entrance,
Securitas USA Officer Kristen
Messare uses the visitor
management system to
register guests and document
hours worked by the facility’s
teachers and employees.
WWW.SecuritaSinc.com 15