A Beautiful Week of Empowerment and Partnership!

An energizing and inspiring week celebrating new beginnings, powerful partnerships, and the people who bring our mission to life in Lebanon County.

We proudly kicked off our first Medical Coding & Billing Specialist cohort with a full week of Workplace Essentials that set the tone for success. Students explored returning to school as adults, goal setting, time management, stress and mental health, and college‑to‑career readiness while learning WEPA’s story and building confidence for the road ahead.

Midweek spotlighted workplace readiness, with sessions on teamwork, professional boundaries, customer service, employer expectations, and key safety responsibilities. Our CDL Class A students benefited greatly from visits by Department of Transportation officers, including Officer Cory Noell and Trooper David Cushner, who shared guidance on regulations, traffic stops, law enforcement interactions, and staying safe on the road. Students also marked a milestone moment by taking photos for their official student ID badges.

Wednesday truly was a beautiful day. ¡WEPA! Empowerment Center, Inc. welcomed Janet Perez of People’s Security Bank and Trust, who joined us twice to speak with CDL Class A students about financial wellness and overcoming barriers while building a professional life. Janet, a WEPA board member, earned rave reviews: “Janet inspires us because she has been where we are,” and “Mrs. Perez should be brought in to speak to every class!” In addition, APR Supply Company shared real‑world insight into driver responsibilities, expectations, and safety, and generously donated unused masks to support PPE practice in our CNA program.

The momentum kept going as the third Medical Assistant class officially got underway at Tec Centro Lebanon. Day one included learning styles, a video call with UPMC representatives, and an engaging session on self‑management and emotional intelligence from Chrissy Law. We were also proud to partner with WellSpan Health’s Nurse Education Department. Rounding out an incredible week, the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized Maribel Torres, Co‑Founder and Vice President of Strategy & Operations at ¡WEPA!, during Women’s History Month for her commitment to opening doors and expanding representation. Thank you to all our partners who made this week unforgettable. Our students are off to an amazing start.