Breaking out of the cycle of poverty, homelessness and, ultimately, hopelessness usually starts with the decision to look inward and do everything possible to embrace opportunities for change.

Education is a critical part of that.

That is one of the primary objectives behind the new partnership between Bluegrass Community and Technical College and the Clark County Homeless Coalition.

The free program is open to everyone and will offer classes every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. for about eight weeks.

The classes will offer training on topics such as job searching, resume building and interviewing techniques. Participants will also earn the Kentucky Essential Skills Certificate.

The goal is to offer GED and other life skills classes to those two are stuck in the cycle. It is designed for anyone who wants to better themselves and work toward a brighter future.

This program is a great step in the right direction but it certainly won’t solve all the challenges and it is not an overnight solution. Nothing is.

This program perfectly complements others in the county that provide housing and food assistance for those who have fallen on hard times, those who no longer have a place to live or individuals who are simply struggling to make ends meet at a low-paying job.

It is indisputable that education leads to better jobs.

A person with a high school diploma or GED, on average, earns $9,400 more per year than someone without either of those certificates. More than 95 percent of the jobs in Clark County require a high school diploma or equivalent.

Making a change starts with the decision to do so, but it certainly continues with continuing education.