Meet our new Executive Director, Alex Bullen Coutts
Hello!
I am thrilled to have joined the team at the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Education and Training as Executive Director. It’s been a whirlwind first month on the job – I’ve loved getting to know the team, meeting with community partners, and dreaming up new ways to grow programs and continue to serve the island community with exciting opportunities for career development, higher education and personal growth.
A few weeks back I was honored to be interviewed by the Vineyard Gazette – if you missed the article, read it here – where I shared a bit about my history, my passion for working with young adults, and my commitment to lifelong learning.
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A few hot takes, if you’re into that kind of thing…
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Lastly, Be sure to give us a follow on Instagram if you haven’t yet, and stay tuned for more newsletters and a fresh new look. We’ll be sharing lots of photos of programs, events and behind-the-scenes glimpses of summer so far. Here’s to a happy, productive season – with lots of beach breaks, time in the garden, meals with friends and fun in the sun. Excited to be on this journey with you all, Alex |
MVCET receives “Non-Profit of the Year” Award from SCORE
This October, the SCORE Cape & Islands Small Business Awards selected Martha’s Vineyard Center for Education & Training (MVCET, formerly ACE MV) as Non-Profit of the Year!
This recognition is for a nonprofit on the Cape & Islands that demonstrates the use of sound business principles in the execution of its mission.
SCORE’s 29th annual Awards Breakfast was held Wednesday, October 26 at Family Table Collaborative South Yarmouth, and the award was accepted by MVCET Executive Director Holly Bellebuono.
Watch SCORE’s video about MVCET
ACE MV Board Director Spotlight: Kim Garrison’s work profiled in Vineyard Gazette
This week, the Vineyard Gazette featured ACE MV Board Director Kim Garrison and her work to improve student mental health.
“There’s a lot of challenges for many of our families,” she told the Gazette. “Substance use. Housing is a huge crisis. The pandemic. … We’re officially in a youth mental health crisis.”
ACE MV Wins Workforce Training Grants
Reprinted from The Vineyard Gazette Jan 5 2022:
ACE MV (Adult and Continuing Education of Martha’s Vineyard) has been awarded four new grants to support education and training for Island workers and youths, according to an announcement from the organization this week.
Grants from the MV Bank Charitable Foundation and the MV Community Foundation will fund ACE MV’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program. The bank’s charitable oundation also provided funding for an additional Medical Interpreter Course, to train bilingual Vineyard residents in ethical and effective interpreter services for hospital, clinic and Covid site language needs. These grants will significantly lower the cost of tuition for each student who enrolls, according to the announcement.
A grant from the Couch Family Foundation will support ACE MV’s Youth Workforce & Career Pathways programming for the Island’s high school youth and young adults. And with a grant from Santander Bank Foundation, ACE MV will continue working closely with the high school, the charter school and young adults up to age 26 to provide free workshops and learning opportunities, especially in financial literacy and career readiness.
Rural Scholars findings featured in Vineyard Gazette
Rural Scholars Find Limited Options for Island Young Adults
In past years, Rural Scholars teams have examined Islandwide health issues including homelessness, aging, reproductive health care and substance use disorders.
This time, at the request of community education provider ACE MV, the future health care providers focused on conditions for Islanders aged 16 to 26 who may be disconnected from the larger Vineyard community.
“The young adult population is one of the least served on Martha’s Vineyard,” ACE MV executive director Holly Bellebuono said, as she introduced the UMass team to about 40 people who turned out for Monday’s presentation in the regional high school library.