Aside from our basic services, the Elmwood Community Center also provides special programs to teach community members the necessary skills to be successful. Three of our programs are discussed below.

Elmscape

"Elmscape" encompasses both educational lessons on the Internet (computer) and mentoring for children between the ages of six and ten. All mentoring aspects take place at the Elmwood Community Center and are managed and monitored under the close supervision of trained staff and trained volunteers that have BCI clearance through the Attorney General's Office and cleared through DCYF.

The program focuses on the particpants' strengths, resolving inappropriate behaviors, listening skills, encourage parent involvement and computer tutoring on the Internet. Sessions are held from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday and Wednesday, from September, 1997 to June, 1998.

Elmwood Youth Entrepreneurship (EYE) Program

The objectives of the program are to coordinate and effectively position the Elmwood Community Center's Entrepreneurship initiatives for youth, to empower minority youth with the information, education, training and resources to start a business and to improve the quality of life and self-sufficiency for youth in the Elmwood area that has a 91% minority population.

The Center has packaged a series of initiatives that encompass a strong community and media relations program that targets influencers and decision makers. An educational program has been designed to teach inner city, at-risk youth how to achieve success by starting their own businesses.

Small business seminars have been designed by minority business owners and are conducted at the Community Center. In addition, Internet workshops are held at the Center for youth for research and educational purposes. A number of websites aare explored on the topic of youth entrepreneurship.

Internet/Administrative Assistant Job Training Program

This program trains 10 Elmwood community residents in Internet/Administrative Assistant job skills. Successful completers are highly trained and equipped to be competitive in today's Internet/Administrative market.

In addition to classroom training, business mentors are matched with participants and assist individuals with employment opportunities, interview techniques, provide internships, career counseling and how to communicate effectively with other employees, supervisors and customers.

The 16-week training program includes software applications such as Microsoft Windows 95, M/S Office 97 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) and Internet applications (Netscape, Alta Vista, Excite, Yahoo, Prodigy).

Participants are exposed to different organizational and cultural paradigms, technical competencies, workability and team skills. Participants receive case management, personal counseling, housing and rental assistance and financial help with utility bills. Job development, mentoring and a ten-member Business Advisory Council will also be included.