The School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center (SSNDEC). located in Woodhaven, Queens empowers underserved women of all races and faiths to reach the fullness of their potential.
In 2004, the SSNDEC opened its doors with a simple but profound belief: an educated woman is the agent of change for herself, her family, and society. Founded by Sisters Janice Algie, Cathy Feeney, and Jean McLaughlin, the center has grown from its roots in Jamaica, Queens, to their current home in the heart of Woodhaven, one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the country.
Within a safe and welcoming environment, the Catholic-sponsored SSNDEC provides programs that educate adult women whose educational journeys were interrupted by circumstance.
Imagine not knowing how to use the shift key, download an app, or look up public transit directions to a hospital. Imagine not knowing how to save or print a file. Imagine trying to apply for a job, but you can’t open the website. For many women who have come to SSNDEC, this was their daily reality.
Today, through the School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center’s tuition-free programs—including High School Equivalency (GED), six levels of ESOL, Digital Literacy, and Citizenship Preparation—the Center empowers underserved women. Beyond teaching essential skills, SSNDEC nurtures the ‘whole woman’ through holistic support, offering health initiatives, yoga, and professional workshops on resume building, interviewing, and financial planning.
The GED (General Educational Development) Preparation Course includes instruction in each of the four subject areas of the GED test ( Math, Science, Social Studies, Reasoning Through Language Arts). Classes are taught by teachers who are NYS certified in their respective areas and they work closely with students throughout the year to determine when a student is ready to take a subject test. Students are welcome to continue at the Center until they have passed all subjects. Small class size, subject immersion, and individual attention foster student success.
Throughout the year, SSNDEC offers special celebrations for their students. Some highlights include a potluck lunch at Thanksgiving; special field trips; a Christmas party sponsored by The Ladies of Charity of St. John’s University; Pi day; and a closing ceremony when all of the Center’s current students receive certificates for their hard work throughout the year.
To date, the SSNDEC have served over 2000 women and their families and built strong relationships with them.
Last August, during a conversation I had with SSNDEC’s Executive Director, Francine Poppo in regard to the Center’s rapport with the Queen’s airport community, she said, “We believe all our programs and services provide opportunities for women in the region, encompassing the Port Authority airports. In particular, we actively seek ways to bring awareness to opportunities by inviting leaders from the airport industry businesses to speak to our students about opportunities and pathways that are available to them that work within and alongside their own individualized plans and goals for career improvement and advancement. Individuals and corporations within the airport community have been very supportive of the SSND Educational Center’s mission and ministry since its inception. Our efforts to strengthen and grow those relationships include our participation in wonderful organizations such as the JFK Chamber of Commerce, JFK Rotary Club, and Airport Community Foundation.”
