Adult Education Programs
All classes offer a safe environment for discussion and interaction and all foster a sense of community, as members make friends, create and strengthen friendships, and expand their horizons beyond their usual circles of age, race, and culture.
Krystal Knapp, Director
609-497-2100, ext. 307
Ready for something different? New interests and experiences? Career growth or change? Come and make new friends, get support and training, and expand your horizons through the YWCA’s adult programs.
All participants must be YW members except for one-session classes.
Member subsidies and Bates Scholarships are available.
Note: "Gym Stay & Play" childcare for 1-5 year olds is available weekdays, 9 am-noon
Books, Writing, Music, Games
African-American Literature
Course includes classic and contemporary African-American fiction and non-fiction with discussion emphasizing cultural, social, and political issues. The September selection is The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois. Class meets the second Thurs. of the month.
Instructor: Jennifer Lang, librarian at Princeton University Library with a special interest in Harlem Renaissance literature
YWCA Library
3 sessions (beginning 9/11) $15 YW member, $17.50 non-member
1012012 Thurs. 7-8:30 pm
Time for Books
Take time from your busy schedule once a month to enjoy breakfast and a discussion with a group of friendly women who love books. Selections are chosen by the group and are usually contemporary fiction, with an occasional classic selection. The September selection is The Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver. For questions please call Susan Carril, 609-921-7532. The group meets the second Wed. of each month, Sept.-June.
Instructor: Susan Carril
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
3 sessions (beginning 9/10) $24
1010531 Wed. 9:30-11 am
Book of the Month Morning
The group meets the third Wed. of each month, Sept.-June. The September selection is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
Instructor: Marge Smith
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
Beginning 9/17 $80 for the year
1010131 Wed. 9:30-11 am
Poetry Workshop
Improve your ability to communicate thoughts and feelings more precisely and powerfully in verse. New members, all levels welcome.
Instructor: Jean Hollander has taught literature and writing at Brooklyn College, Columbia University, Princeton University, Mercer County Community College and the College of New Jersey, where she was director of the Writers’ Conference for twenty-three years. She recently published her third book of poems.
Bramwell Rm. C
10 sessions (9/19-11/21) $85
1016343 Fri. 10 am-noon
Princeton Writes New!
A writers’ exchange group for writers of all levels and ages. Writers are encouraged to bring their work and works-in-progress for a friendly peer-critique, or bring writing excerpt from another author for discussion if you are not ready to share your own writing. Occasional guest writers will visit. Moderated by Krystal Knapp. For more information, email kknapp@ywcaprinceton.org or call 609-497-2100, ext. 307.
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
15 sessions (9/4-12/18, no meeting 11/27) $15 members, $20 nonmembers
1016677 Thurs. 7-10 pm
Beginning Piano/Keyboard
Always dreamed of playing the piano but never tried? You can do it! This introductory piano class starts at the beginning and assumes no prior experience, knowledge, or ability to read music. Learn to play piano for your own personal development and enjoyment.
Instructor: Jean Parsons has many years of experience teaching piano and loves to work with adult beginners.
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
10 sessions (9/8-11/10) $65
1000321 Mon. 1-2 pm
Bridge Playing Seminar
Improve your bridge skills in this informal playing context. Instructor will circulate and answer questions that arise from the hands in play, as well as cover important topics.
Instructor: Arnie Kohn, an ACBL Gold Life Master, uses a method by which students learn objectively and play more than half of each session.
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
8 sessions (9/11-11/6, no class 10/9) $78
1000943 Thurs. 1-3:30 pm
Networking
Princeton Newcomers Club
New to the area? Or have you made a lifestyle change? Join the Newcomers to make friends, get acquainted with the area, enjoy interesting activities, and share resources. “Friday with Friends,” the group’s monthly gathering, is held the second Fri. of the month at the YWCA, Sept.-June, 11:45 am-2 pm. Social coffees are held the third Thurs. of the month, Aug.-June, 9:30-11 am. More than 30 interest groups meet weekly or monthly during the day, in the evening, and on the weekend. For membership information and a monthly newsletter listing current events, contact Leigh Harman, 609-356-0214, leigh886@yahoo.com or Snig Prior, 609-497-6393, snig_prior@yahoo.com. Visit us on the web at www.ywcaprinceton.org.APR
Yearly dues include access to general meetings, social coffees, and interest groups
1909054 $35 + YWCA membership
YWCA Princeton Women’s Group (formerly Grad Group)
The Women’s Group is open to previous Newcomers’ Club members and anyone else who is interested in renewing old acquaintances and meeting new friends. Monthly luncheon meetings are held on the third Fri. of the month, Sept.-Mar. Special events and interest groups are offered. For further information, call Linda Chew, 609-895-1127.APR
$30 a year + YWCA membership
2009154 3rd Fri. of the month noon-2 pm
Hallmark Programs
The YWCA Princeton seeks to create growth and leadership and opportunities for all women and girls, regardless of race or socio-economic status. Our Hallmark programs focus on the empowerment of women and girls, and racial justice. For more information about programs that improve the lives of women in the areas of money management, employment, leadership, and health, or suggestions for future offerings, please contact Krystal Knapp, Adult Program Director, at 609-497-2100, ext. 307, or kknapp@ywcaprinceton.org. For information about the YWCA’s Racial Justice Institute or suggestions regarding programming, call Racial Justice Coordinator Caroline Mitchell at 609-497-2100, ext. 335 or cmitchell@ywcaprinceton.org.
Journey into Womanhood:
Mother/Daughter Menstruation Workshop
Prepare a young girl for her first menstruation. Two-hour mother/daughter workshop facilitates a discussion about this important life-cycle transition. A bibliography and activities to continue at home are included. Suitable for girls ages 9-12.
Instructor: Connie Poor, R.N., sexuality educator at HiTOPS.
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
1 session (10/14) $35 per couple member, $45 per couple non-member
1081616 Tues. 6:30-8:30 pm
Women’s Leadership Series
Presentation Skills for Professional Women
Today’s professional woman needs strong presentational skills to compete and succeed in the corporate world. This course teaches organization and provides guidance and practice in the physical and intellectual activities necessary for strong, authoritative presentations. A critical goal is to decrease tension through relaxation techniques and thus create appropriate body language. Learning to focus on proper breathing and posture helps the speaker find a new voice and develop clear, refined speech. In a supportive environment, participants naturally learn eye contact and effective gestures. Through this course, professional women can achieve a higher level of confidence and effectiveness as speakers as they come to enjoy making presentations. The seminar includes individual evaluations and progress reports. Class is limited to 8 participants.
Instructor: Gordon A. Jacoby holds a doctorate in speech and theatre. As a specialist in speech, voice, and movement, he has taught executives, lawyers, scientists, and actors, focusing on mastery and presentational skills. As a dialect coach for numerous theatre and film productions, he has worked with such actors as Nicolas Cage, Danny Glover, and Olympia Dukakis.
YWCA Library
8 sessions (9/2-10/28, no class 9/30)
Special introductory rate: $190 for members, $225 for non-members
7100020 Tues. 7-9 pm
Voice and Movement For Women
This is a course for women with varied interests, ranging from the desire to advance a professional career to general interest in communicating gracefully and effectively in social situations. The course work is designed to help each participant develop a strong, attractive, effective voice and confident, fluid body movement. Movement and voice work together to project confidence and enthusiasm, whatever the topic. The course materials will include poetry, prose, and dramatic readings, to which the participants will apply techniques such as appropriate breathing, movement to music, and relaxation techniques. Class is limited to 10 participants.
Instructor: Gordon A. Jacoby (see preceding bio)
YWCA Library
7 sessions (11/4-12/16)
Special introductory rate: $165 for members, $190 for non-members
7100030 Tues. 7-9 pm
Women in Transition
Strategies for Career and Life Transitions
Whether you are returning to work after an extended absence, looking for your first professional job or the next step forward in your career, or a baby boomer seeking a bridge job prior to retirement, a well-developed search plan is the key to success. This seminar covers the how and where of networking, effective résumés, how to account for gaps in your background, frequent job changes, freelance work, and how to highlight accomplishments to support your target job. Tailored to those with gaps in work experience, but all welcome to attend.
Instructor: Career Coach Alex Freund of LandingExpert Career Coaching Services has worked for Fortune 500 companies and has extensive experience managing employees and interviewing job candidates. A graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Alex has lived in three continents and speaks five languages.
YWCA Library
One session (9/17) $10 for members, $15 for non-members
7100001 Wed. 7-9 pm
Your Job Search Plan
This seminar will teach you winning strategies for finding a new job, the how and where of networking, and how to market yourself effectively and make the most of your limitations. The instructor also looks at the emotional aspects of the job search and the importance of self-confidence. This seminar is for both those who are starting a new job search or thinking about it and those who have been searching for a long time.
Instructor Alex Freund (see preceding bio)
YWCA Library
One session (10/1) $10 for members, $15 for non-members
7100002 Wed. 7-9 pm
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