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Weston Distance Learning Corporate News Releases

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700+ Hours and Counting
Weston Distance Learning Staff are Active Community Volunteers


Fort Collins, Colorado – March 16, 2009
– This month, Weston Distance Learning, Inc., wraps up its first year of tracking Weston staff volunteer efforts in the community. While additional volunteer hours continue to come in, in the first nine months of tracking, paid and unpaid volunteer hours logged by employees totaled 745. The company estimates that this translates to an economic impact of $14,543.

In 2008, Weston (originally operating as At-Home Professions) celebrated its 15th year in Fort Collins. In this landmark anniversary year, Weston launched a program to help employees “give back.” The program is called Weston C.A.R.E.S. (for Community, Altruism, Respect, Engagement and Support).

Weston C.A.R.E.S. promotes volunteering in three ways. First, it builds awareness: Via staff email, the company disseminates a regularly updated United Way list offering many volunteer opportunities. The list informs readers of single-day assistance needed at special events and ongoing support needed by nonprofits. Employees are also encouraged to help with community efforts they find on their own. Second, Weston compensates staff members for some of their volunteer time. Employees are granted four hours of paid leave per calendar year for approved volunteer work. And third, Weston creates company-sponsored teams of volunteers for some charitable events in the community.

“We see all kinds of benefits from our Weston C.A.R.E.S. program,” says company president Ann Rohr. “We strongly believe in helping employees support community groups they’re passionate about. Not only does this strengthen these groups, it also helps our staff enhance work skills – skills such as leadership, project management and team building. And Weston-sponsored teams at charitable events are a fun way for co-workers from different departments to get to know each other.”

In its first year, Weston C.A.R.E.S. has supported employees in these and other efforts: A 14-member Weston team raised $6,000 for the American Cancer Society by participating in Relay For Life; an 8-member Weston team spent a day helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house; a 10-member Weston SuperStars Sports Challenge team raised more than $1,200 to support the at-risk children served by Partners Mentoring Youth; and more than 20 Weston volunteers sang Christmas carols and served as visiting Secret Santas for residents of an assisted living facility.

“Everyone benefits when we create a healthier, safer, stronger city,” says Weston president Rohr. “Weston C.A.R.E.S. is a great way for our staff to help with that.”

Weston Distance Learning, Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado) is the parent company overseeing operations of three distance education schools: At-Home Professions, McKinley College and U.S. Career Institute. The schools enroll students throughout the country. Weston courses prepare students to work in more than 25 fields that offer solid job prospects and earning potential. Currently, Weston is launching a new distance education course every few months. Its state approval is issued by the Colorado Department of Education’s Division of Private Occupational Schools. Each course is accredited through the nationally recognized Distance Education and Training Council. To learn more about Weston Distance Learning, visit http://www.westondistancelearning.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Ann Rohr, please call marketing director Kevin White at (800) 347-7899 or email Kevin at KevinW@westondistancelearning.com.

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