LaDonna Allison, Chair of the Durham Early Head Start (DEHS) Policy Council, recently celebrated completion of the Going Places Network/Dress for Success program! LaDonna was elected to the position of Policy Council Chair in April after serving as Vice-Chair beginning in December 2013.
All families enrolled in DEHS receive comprehensive child development and family support services to meet their specific needs. DEHS fosters parent engagement and encourages parents to become self-sufficient, empowering them to advocate for their children as well as for themselves. The Policy Council, comprised of parents representing DEHS center-based and home-based programming and early childhood community representatives, is charged with making important decisions to guide program direction.
Dress for Success, founded in 1997, promotes women’s economic independence by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. In 2011, through the support of the Walmart Foundation, Dress for Success expanded its efforts in the areas of job preparation and career advancement through the launch of the Going Places Network.
This program helps unemployed and under-employed Dress for Success clients gain professional skills, accelerate their job search and build confidence through weekly training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and networking in a supportive environment. LaDonna completed the program in April.
LaDonna is the proud mother of a 2 year-old daughter, Zarrianna Spencer, and a 20 year-old son, Derrick Allison. She was born and raised in Durham, NC and is very active in the community. Professional growth and development through education is very important to LaDonna. She is enrolled in an online program at Penn Foster, pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Certified Medical Assistance. Next year, she is making plans to attend a Radiology Tech Program at Wake Technical Community College.
When LaDonna isn’t taking classes, volunteering or working at the RDU airport, she enjoys reading, traveling, attending church, and spending time with her family and friends. When asked about her role with Durham Early Head Start she said, “I look forward to the upcoming year of serving and leading the families in Durham Early Head Start through my position as Policy Council Chair and as a Board member with Durham’s Partnership for Children.”
We are very proud of LaDonna’s accomplishment and look forward to sharing many more!
For more information about Dress for Success, please click here. For more information about Durham Early Head Start, please click here.
