NATCHEZ — A free GED course at the Holiday Apartments is in danger of losing its grant funding if more students do not attend classes.

Michelle Williams, who coordinated the course with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, said she hopes more people will open their minds and take the leap to finish their education before the government pulls the funding.

Williams initiated the program after visiting the apartment complex with her church. When the missionary duties were over she wanted to do more.

She opened the education center and coordinated the GED course and after-school program with the support of Holiday Apartments Manager Lionel Brown and help from Co-Lin basic skills instructor Carol Robinson.

Brown said the program benefits residents by offering a class in a convenient location to avoid the drive to Co-Lin.

He said the GED program can help Holiday residents and other Natchezians get a job.

“If they get a job they can do more things for themselves,” Brown said.

Williams, 59, earned her GED from Co-Lin in March 2010, so she knows first-hand how rewarding it feels.

She is now enrolled at Co-Lin and said getting her GED was the best decision she has ever made.

“I’m in college now getting As and Bs on my report card,” Williams said.

“And I’m just so happy to be in school and I want that for (others).”

Williams said she is frustrated with the low number of people attending the class.

The class needs 10 students regularly attending to stay in operation. Three students attended the class Thursday.

Williams said she believes some people claim they are intimidated to go back to class or fear they might lose government assistance if they get a degree.

“To me, its just excuses,” Williams said.

Poor conditions in a neighborhood where someone lives can become defeating, Williams said, but education allows for people to rise above their surroundings.

“I know how it feels to be living with drug dealers, and I lived that life, but still went to school and went to work,” Williams said.

“You have bad people everywhere, but it should not stop you from doing what you do.”

And no matter how old a person is, it is never to late to go back to school, Williams said.

The courses are offered from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Apt. 13-A, which is next to the complex’s office.

The two instructors are retired teachers.

Donnell Newsome, a retired Ferriday math teacher, said he and the other teacher, Charlyne Oten, are willing to adjust the times to better fit students’ schedules if it means higher participation.

Newsome said some students who want to attend might not be able to because of conflicts with jobs.

The course’s length is determined by the level in which the students begin the class, Oten said. So the course is individualized to each student, she said.

Williams said 50 students originally signed up for the course when the grant program was made available. Between 15-20 attended in the program’s early days.

Williams said she would hate to see the money go back to the government and the community lose the program.

Taking the course and earning a GED will open new doors, Williams said.

“If you just make that step, God will have you all the way through,” Williams said.

“I can’t believe the things I’m learning today (as a result of earning a GED); I didn’t know I had that smartness in me.”

Testing is also free, and the only cost associated with the course would be the cost of diploma when its earned.

Residents living outside the Holiday Apartments are also welcome to take the GED course.