Education
At TROSA, education plays a key role in helping residents to recover and to to re-enter the workforce. Obtaining a diploma or a higher education degree boosts self-esteem and creates new opportunities for life and work after graduation.
GED and Higher Education
One in four people who enter TROSA have neither a high school diploma nor a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Of those who have completed high school or some equivalent, only a handful has pursued higher education. All TROSA residents who lack a high school diploma or GED are required to attend adult literacy or GED classes. Volunteers and local educational organizations help TROSA to provide the best possible curriculum for our residents as they earn their diplomas.
Residents who are in good standing in the TROSA program and who have obtained the necessary diploma may take college classes at local colleges and universities. Tuition and fees are paid by TROSA as part of the recovery program. Some of the program's residents have enrolled in college programs including accounting, business, substance abuse, and paralegal studies at schools such as Durham Technical College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina, and Wake Forest Technical Community College.
Computer Classes
TROSA also provides computer skills classes for its residents. In addition, TROSA has two computer labs with 36 computers that are available for general use. In the future we hope to offer more advanced computer classes and to incorporate interactive computer training and teaching aids into our Adult Literacy and GED programs.
Examples of computer classes that have been offered in the past include:
- Basic Computer Operations
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Basic Internet Skills
- Advanced Internet Skills
If you would like to volunteer to assist our Adult Literacy program or computer education classes, please send an email to or call (919) 419-1059.
Extracurricular activities
In addition to GED, Advanced Education and Computer classes, extracurricular activities are offered regularly to our residents. These classes are taught by TROSA Staff, volunteers, graduates, or residents. Some examples are:
- anger management
- creative writing
- karate
- yoga
- parenting
- women in recovery
- jazzercize
- art
Informal Classes
In addition to regularly scheduled classes, informal classes are often made available to our residents. As an example, the Duke Center for Documentary Studies previously taught creative writing and art classes, and TROSA has offered a charcoal sketching class. Artwork of the residents has been featured at art shows at the Durham Arts Council and the Duke Center for Documentary Studies.
Other examples of classes that have been taught in the past include stress management, positive thinking, and relaxation techniques.