Sister Barbara Kraus with the Progress Education Program Inc., or PEPI, in New Iberia says that she often tells students that the program is not an end, but a beginning.

That can be encouraging for students of all ages who are trying to get high-school equivalent certification. PEPI students are trying to better themselves and do everything they can to help them accomplish their goals, Kraus said.

“We spend our time getting students ready to take the HiSet, or High School Equivalency Test, which is the equivalent of the GED,” Kraus said. “What we do is prepare them for reading, math and language arts. They go to the computer lab and have a choice on what their schedule is.”

PEPI is one of 10 organizations chosen by The Daily Iberian for its annual Help the Helpers program. The initiative aims to provide financial assistance to local nonprofit agencies that help the poor and needy during the holiday season.

The program is housed in the South Louisiana Community College building in New Iberia, and also offers English as a second language, for local residents who may not be fluent.

Similar programs prepare for the HiSet in other parts of Acadiana, but PEPI is crucial for Iberia Parish students who often don’t have the means or ability to drive to other cities.

“Going to Lafayette is like going to China, and that’s usually the case with students,” Kraus said. “Transportation is not reliable, to say they have a car is pushing it. I’ll get a call saying, ‘I don’t have money to get gas so I can’t come to school.’ ”

PEPI keeps a strict attendance policy. If a student is absent he or she must give written notice or a phone call.

“If you have a job, you can’t just miss your job for a few days and the boss will say welcome back,” she said. “They have to call and they have to bring an excuse.”

PEPI has four full-time teachers working in the adult education program and a part-time teacher who teaches ESL. With 146 students enrolled this year, it can get a little hectic.

One of the students this year is Taylor Whipp, who didn’t finish high school and needs a GED equivalent to move on to college. Whipp, who plans to attend a state school to get a degree in the culinary arts, hopes to graduate this year from PEPI.

“I heard about this program and so far the teachers are helping me with everything,” Whipp said. “I love it. All the teachers are friendly and they help me with what I’m stuck on.”

Cash or check donations for Help the Helpers can be taken to The Daily Iberian office at the corner of Main and Lewis streets or mailed to Help the Helpers at The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia, LA 70562. Checks should be made to Help the Helpers. 

Contributions can be marked for a specific participating Help the Helpers nonprofit organization or can be divided among all 10. Donors’ names will be published by the newspaper in an Honor Roll listing.