Mountain Empire Community College, in partnership with Southwest Legal Aid Society, announces continued support of Project Amelioration, now called PROJECT SOAR. Funded by the ARC INSPIRE Initiative, offering:
A community-based partnership bringing together the education, legal, medical, workforce, and recovery communities to develop an alternative “recovery-to-work ecosystem” in the heart of the opioid ravaged areas of southwestern Virginia.
Serving Dickenson, Lee, and Scott Counties, Virginia, Mountain Empire Community College provides training in the skilled trades to those in active recovery suffering from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and those who have been deeply affected by SUD. Skilled trades courses (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding) in nationally accredited associations are offered along with wrap-around services to help eliminate barriers to training and employment. Students receive hands-on training along with referrals/access to legal aid services, financial education, life skills training, Morale Reconation Treatment (MRT), OSHA Certification, counseling services, social services, and employment assistance.
Project SOAR courses are housed in our Workforce Department and are offered in Dickenson, Scott, and Lee Counties in Virginia. Most courses run for 15 weeks, Monday-Thursday from 5-9pm and are taught by a licensed trades instructor. We provide all supplies and materials for free including books and tools, as well as a meal (or meal voucher) every evening, and fuel cards to help defray transportation costs. Tuition is little to NO cost to students with help from financial aid. Hands-on work is completed at our class sites through special projects for each class.
Spring 2026
Summer 2026
Fall 2026
Details
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Stephanie New |
276-523-9123 |
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Ariel Worley |
276-523-9154 |
*National Center for Construction Education and Research