By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — Warsaw Adult Education wants to get the word out more about the key service it plays in the community that could benefit nearly 10,000 people in Kosciusko County.

WAE provides services to Kosciusko and Fulton counties and is paid through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (not local tax dollars).

Services include overseeing the high school equivalency testing, English Language Learning, and career training and certification.

Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert describes WAE as a key pipeline for local workforce development.

Leo Patino became director two years ago and said he wants to put the program on the map.

"I think Warsaw Adult Ed is like one of the biggest, best-kept secrets in our area,” Patino said Wednesday following a rebranding celebration aimed at getting the word out.

School officials held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday at the high school to celebrate a new logo and the increased effort to put a spotlight on services.

[caption id="attachment_115748" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The ribbon-cutting was held at Warsaw Community High School on Wednesday. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Patino points out that 12 percent of county adults don't have a high school degree.

“That’s our target market — that 12 percent. In a county of 82,000 people, that’s a little less than 10,000 people,” Patrino said.

But at the same time, state funding was cut this spring as part of statewide efforts to reduce spending, and that's affected the program.

Patino calls the decrease a "hiccup," and said the program remains committed to its mission.

“We still have the sme quality program. We’re going to continue to do the sme quality instruction to adults. We just want more people to be aware of it across Kosciusko County, all across Fulton County,” Patino said.

Thanks to community partners such as Kosciusko County Community Foundation, The Gathering Place, Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Warsaw Community Schools, Patino said they're working to mitigate that impact.

He's also working to line up grant funding opportunities, but admits the program might "look a little different" as the new school year begins Friday.

The WAE website has also added a donation button.

“If there’s anybody who believes in this who saw their son, their daughter, their grandson or themselves go through the program … if they feel obliged to throw us a couple bucks here and there, we’d definitely appreciate the help,” Patino said. 

About 85 people received their high school equivalency this spring. Last year, the number was in the mid-90s, Patino said.

Patino pointed to a 66-year-old man who recently graduated and has become a peer recovery coach with Bowen Health.

"He dropped out of high school, had some addiction issues, and worked the rest of his life and then retired and said, 'Now what?' Patino recalled. "He wanted to give back to his community. And that’s the kind of people we are seeing. Students who want to give back to the community.”

To learn more, check out the WAE page on the school district website.

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