2012-2013 Santa Fe College East Gainesville Instruction Annual Newsletter

September 26, 2013

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Partnerships are the foundation of Santa Fe College. Good neighbors are the best policy. Both are exemplified by the enduring collaboration between community and college through the East Gainesville Instruction.

Santa Fe College has grown since then by offering bachelor’s degrees to meet our area’s needs, developing more joint programs with the University of Florida to serve our community, and attracting more business, industry and jobs to the region through Innovation Gainesville. But there is one thing Santa Fe will never outgrow. That is our relationship with East Gainesville.

Eleven years ago we embarked on an extraordinary effort to join hands that was based on mutual respect and admiration. We knew East Gainesville had strong neighborhoods, established churches and a rich cultural heritage. We understood that by working together we accomplish more than we do individually. You shared our enthusiasm, goodwill, and more importantly, the same spirit.

We now are inseparable, and our esteem and support for one another have only grown stronger.

We have come a long way in the development of the East Gainesville Instruction. We still have distance to travel.

On this anniversary we celebrate both: our union as committed partners and abiding faith in one another, and, our commitment and resolve to continue on behalf of the people who comprise the great communities in East Gainesville.

Jackson N. Sasser, President Santa Fe College

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The EGI (East Gainesville Instruction), in partnership with CIED (Center for Innovation and Economic Development), is posed to unveil a new outreach program called REFOCUS. REFOCUS is designed to utilize educational and workforce development strategies to provide support for young men re-entering Santa Fe College and/or the workforce. The project will include an array of educational programs, partnerships, trainings and

local business collaborations designed to assist young men ages of 18-24. These young men, as they start anew, will be provided opportunities to secure degrees, technical certificates, work place skills and other professional development training needed for academic and economic success. With the right support and resources, they will gain entry or re-entry into school and/or the workplace.

REFOCUS will be collaborating with more than 30 educational, workforce, and

business partners that will provide services and resources for educational empowerment and training opportunities. Partners with EGI and CEID include Catholic Charities, BOLD Program, Sytech, SF Adult Education, the Alachua County Library District, Florida Works, the Alachua County School Board, the EGI Faith-Based Education Committee, and many more.

The program is scheduled to officially begin in March 2014.

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Community Outreach and East Gainesville Instruction (EGI), in partnership with the EGI faith-based committee hosted a meeting with Deputy Superintendent Hershel Lyons on August 22, 2013 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The session focused on presenting data outlining how local students in East Gainesville are faring in the areas of Math, reading and writing. More than fifteen churches were represented and joined in discussing the educational needs of children in Alachua County. The data presented clearly indicated a greater need to improve as many educational resources as possible and to keep both students and parents informed about policies, tests, and school related changes that directly or indirectly impact school performance. The faith-based group agreed to play a key role by working in partnership with local schools to help ensure the academic success of students. Suggestions “Take action every for improving academic success included school based mentoring, life skills education, after day, some small -school and summer programs for youth, and adopt-a-school programs. Churches were asked to celebrate the success of students in their respective congregations, provide dose at a time.” mentoring opportunities, host book clubs, and keep members informed of important school related dates. Additional strategies to be used by churches for improving academic —J. Gitomer success were provided by Dr. Karen Cole-Smith, EGI director, and included such items as youth educational forums, expansion of character curriculum, increased student recognition programs, parent education groups, and adopt-a-school closest to the church.

The faith-based community in East Gainesville remains committed to educational empowerment and the academic success of all students and is be commended for its volunteerism and servant leadership. Churches in attendance included Mt. Olive AME Church, Showers of Blessings, Macedonia Baptist Church, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Upper Room Ministries, PASSAGE Family Church, Bethel AME Church, Greater Love and Faith Ministries, Ignite Baptist Church, Community Praise Center, Greater Faith Church, Open Door Ministries, and Catholic Charities. The UF College of Education was also in attendance.

The long term goal is to keep members of the various churches engaged in the educational process and includes an evaluation and assessment tool for the various strategies being used.

The EGI PASS program, in partnership with the Santa Fe College Admissions office and My Brother’s Keeper, experienced many successes during its first year. The program is specifically designed to highlight college ready students from Eastside and Hawthorne High Schools and provide them with the necessary skills, resources, support, and information that would prepare them for successful transition to college and increase their chances for college graduation. The PASS program’s curriculum focused on such topics as college survival skills, life skills, mentoring, personal development, financial aid, and the admissions process. During this inaugural year,75 students participated in the program. The program is in direct response to the urgency of addressing low retention and graduation rates, especially among African American and first generation college students.

Based on student feedback, students experienced significant improvement in their degree of preparation for college level work as a result of their involvement in PASS. 73% indicated they now have a better understanding about the degree of preparation needed for college level work and the admission process. With a strong focus for student success beyond admission, PASS will equip students to excel and prevail while in college, increasing their chances for college graduation.

Added benefits for participating in PASS include:  Increased college and career awareness  Exposure to individuals and resources that help students see college as an attainable goal  Early exposure to Santa Fe resources  Increased knowledge and resources for parents of participating students  Establishment of positive relations with community leaders and educators.

Community Outreach & East Gainesville Instruction’s Annual Newsletter

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Fact: One in three girls in Uganda are denied a secondary education because of a lack of access to health/personal hygiene items. Excessive absences lead these girls to either skip school or drop out entirely, leaving them with a bleak future ahead.

Moved by these disparities for girls, two women in the Gainesville community, Ms. Rhoda Celestine and Ms. Dianne Cox, have partnered with the EGI and Ms. Carol Thomas, a SFC professor, to sew personal hygiene pads for the girls in Uganda.

This project works to ensure that the girls are able to continue their education and not be limited because of a lack of basic hygiene necessities. Through their quiet courage, these women have successfully convinced other women to come aboard and assist young girls they don’t even know. This issue, which exists in many African countries, will now be addressed locally with the hope that providing these items to girls will reduce school absences and lead to more successful completion of required classes by the girls. These local women who love to sew have been connected through this project and are now sewing with the purpose of helping young less fortunate girls.

When asked what was the motivation for starting the PAD project, Ms. Celestine stated, “This is going to improve lives. I want to be instrumental in helping women get an education so they can improve their lives.” Ms. Cox replied, “I want to use my gift as a blessing to others. I am happy and blessed to be able to supply my Ugandan sisters with pads and uplift them through this project.”

The first personal hygiene pads were delivered to the young ladies by Ms. Thomas during a visit to Uganda in June.

Additional pads will be delivered during her return visit in December. The office of Community Outreach and EGI at Santa Fe College is an educational partner and is contributing to this community effort by donating materials and providing sewing machines for the women who wish to sew for a cause. Dr. Karen Cole-Smith, EGI director, stated that, “The Ugandan village where the girls live is larger than Gainesville and we are pleased to contribute in some small way.” The PAD project is also receiving support from the Alachua County Library District and local churches. They provide space for planning and sewing. Additional support comes from Sharing Africa, Inc. and the many community members who have come forth to donate cloth and make financial donations.

The long term goal of the PAD project is to expand the program and serve hundreds of young women throughout the African continent. For additional information about the PADS project, please email Ms. Celestine at rhodacelestine@aol.com or Ms. Cox at bcj33@att.net.

“Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.”

—Edwin Hubbel Chapin

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EGI and Santa Fe Student Services continue to work with local middle and high schools by providing programs that help increase high school and college completion rates.

These outreach efforts also help increase the number of parents and students that see college as a practical, affordable option for the future.

Since the research confirms that by the ninth grade students have already decided whether they will continue and complete their high school academic studies, early educational outreach programs are critical.

The main focus of the outreach programs is to continue to foster the ties SFC has established with the middle and high schools, to broaden

the community’s awareness of the many programs and services provided by the college and to help students master the knowledge and skills needed for high school graduation and college success.

“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

—Thomas Jefferson Many of the successful Santa Fe programs that are currently serving middle and high students in East Gainesville are coordinated by the SFC Student Services department, and

fall under the umbrella of the college’s Pre-Collegiate Programs. These programs include: PASS (Preparing for Academic and Student Success), CROP (College Reach Out Program), Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and the Center for Excellence.

The EGI will also provide support for other educational outreach efforts through Duval and Rawlings Elementary schools, the Riechert House, Gator Trax, the Saturday Academy and, the Cade Museum in an effort to reach younger student populations and instill in them the value of education at an early age.

These outreach efforts are geared toward helping students set goals and complete major educational milestones.

 Fact: Only four states require high school students to take a financial management class.  Fact: Only 27% of students reported that their parents share information about responsible money management with

them.

 Fact: It has never been more important than now to teach children about responsible money management.

The EGI office provided several financial literacy education sessions in the community during the 2013 year. The goals of these sessions were fourfold: (1.) Empower participants to make good financial decisions, (2.) Show participants how to enhance their financial security, (3.) Provide an early introduction to money related topics i.e., credit, interest, management, etc., and (4.) Seize teachable moments that make financial literacy education real and relevant.

The curriculum used, Money Smart: Building Knowledge, Security, and Confidence, was provided by the FDIC Financial Educational Curriculum. These one hour sessions provided information on more than 15 money-related topics geared toward helping elementary, middle, and high school children effectively budget and manage money.

This year the financial literacy outreach effort provided presentations for more than 200 children during a nine month period.

With nearly half of today’s students having no understanding of money and financial responsibility, the mission to serve and educate more participants will continue through EGI. The following individuals and organizations participated in this year’s sessions: Williams Elementary School; Village Green Apartments; HIPPY, Inc; Project Manhood; Omega Psi Phi; Eastside High School; PASS; Job Corps; Alachua County Library Partnership; Upper Room Ministries and CROP students and parents.

“Knowledge is the key to successful money management.”

Community Outreach & East Gainesville Instruction’s Annual Newsletter

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While many are talking about the pipeline to prison, the E-PAS (Educational Pipeline to Academic Success) model is focusing on the pipeline to college under the coordinated efforts of HIPPY, Inc. and Santa Fe College’s Community Outreach and East Gainesville Instruction. E-PAS is a term that refers to the Cradle to College Pipeline established through the Gainesville HIPPY’s national office to support a systematic longitudinal approach aimed at increasing local graduation rates and aiding in a successful transition to college. It is designed to provide a continuum of educational support and resources beginning with birth and moving through five identified stages up to college and or vocational levels with parental involvement as the central focus. The pre-stage (ages 0-3) stresses the importance of the first three years in setting the stage for learning and literacy. The last stage, stage 5, represents the successful transition into college and/or vocational technical programs. At each stage, students are given the necessary resources and support to move to the subsequent stage. Many collaborative educational partners are on board and provide tutoring, mentoring, test preparation, academic support, parent trainings, tracking, and other services to assist with successful entry into college or other post secondary education.

The E-PAS project continues to move forward for the 2013-2014 program year. The vision to improve the overall high school graduation rate in Alachua county is at the core of E-PAS’s mission while the partnerships among the many organizations that provide support and resources are the driving force through this positive pipeline. The program services eight Alachua County schools in an effort to increase parental engagement and help solidify the collective movement toward a high school graduation rate that our community can take pride in. E-PAS is pleased to report that there are 325 children identified and eligible for services. 126 of those families have received some level of services, including parent training, tutoring, mentoring, and afterschool programs.

HIPPY is currently tracking 75 students through the pipeline and providing services and information for their parents.

Current data show contact with families, partners, and schools has been ongoing and children are receiving services within 4 of the 5 stages of the pipeline Dialogue with Santa Fe College continues as the program’s first students prepare to enter the final stage of the pipeline during the 2015-2016 school year.

Grant funding is now being sought in order to build capacity and expand services and the number of partnerships.

A meeting for the parents of E-PAS students is scheduled for September 2013 and will be followed with a partner meeting in October 2013.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

—Nelson Mandela

African American males have been called “an endangered species.” Because it is important for every American group to be able to function productively, the problems of African American males must be a concern of all Americans.” —Carol Asher For the past year, the EGI has provided educational sessions for many young men in Alachua County. The goal is to highlight the importance of academics while building selfcontrol along with leadership, social and financial skills as these young men mature. All of the program components are geared toward creating a culture of self-reliance, and independence on the path to manhood. The topics ranged from financial literacy education to self-esteem and decision making, all supported the underlying basic premise to target these young men while they are young and instill in them a sense of worth, thereby negating high drop out rates, discipline problems, suspensions and the dreaded prison pipeline.

During the 2012-2013 year EGI made presentations to the following groups: Omega Psi Phi’s Project Manhood Program, the Gentleman’s Club, the Saturday Academy, BOLD, and males at Eastside High School and Hawthorne Middle/High School who were a part of the PASS Program.

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In an effort to improve technology and narrow the digital divide in East Gainesville, the EGI continues to offer computer classes at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and throughout the county. Classes include basic and advanced computer applications.

The Fall 2013 class schedule can be accessed on the EGI website at www.sfcollege.edu/ “The path to success egi and is regularly published in local newspapers. Recent efforts to expand the technology training program have resulted in courses being offered at the Library is to take massive, dePartnership on NE 16th Avenue in Gainesville and in new courses being taught at the termined action.”

Porters Community Center. At least 100 persons per year take advantage of the course offerings. Other computer classes are being offered for parents at the Village Green Apartments under the leadership of the Social Services Director, Ms. Lashay Anderson.

—Tony Robbins In addition, EGI demonstrates its continued commitment to computer literacy by supplying computers to various sites in the community, including faith-based locations, housing complexes, and the St. Francis House, and by providing technology support services to local churches upon request.

The Visionaires, a local professional women’s organization with a history of 75 years of service, in partnership with the EGI, celebrated more than a decade of involvement in Take our Daughters to Work Day. The day is set aside to expand young girls’ exposure to and understanding of diverse careers and to allow them to experience on site workplace opportunities as they plan for their future careers. The local program is part of a national event that has been in existence since 1993 and is celebrating its 20th year.

The uniqueness of the local program is that young ladies are not paired with their mothers but are paired with professional women who are in careers they aspire to enter. Middle school girls grades 6-8 are given the opportunity to explore career options and spend the day in the workplace of their chosen career—leaving with a better sense of the career path they would like to explore. With an average of 25 girls per year participating in the biennial event since 1998, the EGI and Visionaires, Inc. have served more than 250 girls in Alachua County.

Many of the participants have gone on to complete their formal education and embark upon successful careers as pharmacists, electrical engineers, program administrators, and business owners. During a recent celebration, spearheaded by the Visionaires, Inc. and the EGI, all of the young ladies who have participated in the Alachua County program since its beginning in 1998 were invited to return to Gainesville for a reception to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire other young girls to dream big. The event was held at the Freedom Community Center at Kanapaha Veteran’s Memorial Park on June 30, 2013. The event also celebrated local Take Our Daughters to Work mentors, school counselors, agencies, school board officials, and other organizations that worked collaboratively to provide these young ladies with a unique educational experience as they explored a chosen career.

The next scheduled Take Our Daughters to Work event will be held in APRIL 2014.

Community Outreach & East Gainesville Instruction’s Annual Newsletter

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Faith-Based Partnership with MBK The faith-based community continues to serve as a valuable resource for addressing the educational needs of the local community. This enduring relationship with the EGI is entering its eleventh year and continues to serve as a bridge toward mobilizing people to take advantage of the diverse educational resources available to them. Regardless of their denomination, all leaders are committed to providing educational services and support that will enhance educational opportunities for children, youth, and families in their local communities. The faith-based partners have helped Santa Fe College strengthen community ties, increase the visibility of school resources, expand information sharing, and provide the community with a voice for creating new educational strategies.

With a wealth of resources, skills, and information, the faith-based community partners continue to work collaboratively with Santa Fe College to make a greater impact than could be made if they each remained separate. They have demonstrated commitment to educational outreach for the past eleven years through their support of Gainesville HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), financial literacy outreach, computer training programs, Stop the Violence Rallies, E-PAS (Educational Pipeline to Academic Success), My Brother’s Keeper, Tutoring Tuesdays, and FCAT Saturdays.

Their most recent efforts include developing an educational plan to assist local schools, supporting the Deputy Superintendent ‘s Outreach Strategic Plan, and supporting EGI’s newly developed REFOCUS program, which will assist young men ages 18-24 in successfully re-entering school and work.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, one of the largest facilities in East Gainesville, continues to serve as the central site for many forums, workshops, training programs, summer camps, and technology programs provided by the EGI and its faith based partners. Special thanks to the faith based community for the relationships that have been built and the successful initiatives that have evolved through our collaborative efforts.

The EGI is continuing its partnership with Florida Works to expand the development of a technology savvy workforce in Gainesville and Alachua County to meet the needs and demands of Twenty-first century employers.

The targeted sites include East Gainesville churches and local housing complexes that serve multiple families. The plan is to train a representative from each site so that he/she can return to their respective churches or residential complexes and provide personalized training and assistance to those who are seeking employment. This plan will reduce travel time and the use of resources for residents who will then have to travel no farther than the front doors of their churches or homes to seek job opportunities and job skills training on a regular basis.

The Florida Works training, provided by Christine Jaynes at Florida Works , includes personalized training for utilizing on line job searches, writing support, resume posting, and the use of the virtual recruiter. The overall goals of the training are to help participants find jobs, improve their job skills, and access training opportunities that will guarantee a brighter future.

The churches and other organizations that participated in this year’s workforce development training were: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, PASSAGE Family Church, New Macedonia Baptist Church, Upper Room of Greater Gainesville, Spirit of Faith Christian Center, Greater Bethel AME Church, Porters Community Center, Showers of Blessings Harvest Ministry, Springhill Baptist Church, Community Praise “When it is obvious that Center, Bartley Temple United Methodist Church, Greater Love and Faith Ministries, the goals cannot be Alachua County Social Services, and Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church.

reached, don't adjust the The EGI will continue to embrace and expand its role in the development of a skilled goals, adjust the action workforce for East Gainesville and Alachua County through shared training steps.” programs with Florida Works so that residents will experience economic advancement through the growth of business and jobs.

—Confucius

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EGI AND BRIDGES OF PROSPERITY (CATHOLIC CHARITIES) The EGI is currently partnering with Catholic Charities’ Bridges to Prosperity Program. The Bridges to Prosperity program is designed to provide long term financial literacy information and support for local residents in the community. The program is offered in two stages, with a commitment to follow up with the participants after they have outlined a personal plan for financial success. The program has proven to be very beneficial for those who are determined to turn their lives around, have limited resources, and are seeking to “get ahead” instead of “just getting by.” It is a program that is designed to look at the core issues surrounding poverty and its impact on the community and work with individuals and local businesses to find and develop comprehensive solutions.

EGI’s role and support will include identifying persons in the community for the program, teaching financial literacy segments, and collaborating with the faith-based community to help them identify persons for the program. Registration for the program is ongoing. For registration or additional information, contact Rev. James Dixon, Bridges to Prosperity Coordinator, at 352-372-0294 or 352-575-5364 EGI AND THE ACE MENTOR PROGRAM EGI is partnering with GRU as they implement the ACE Mentor Program for high school youth at Eastside High School.

The ACE name stands for Architecture, Construction and Engineering. It is a national initiative that is designed to engage, excite, and motivate high school students to pursue careers in design and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in these industries. Since construction is the second largest industry in the United States and by 2020 the design/construction industry is projected to add 2.2 million jobs to the economy, providing this opportunity to young people is critical as they prepare to enter the workforce. Several UF professors, Eastside High School teachers, community business persons, and consultants participated in the program and played a critical role in its overall success.

Students concluded the year by making presentations that highlighted the things they “Action expresses learned about the various careers as a result of participating in the program. For more details about the ACE Mentor Program, contact Ms. Nona Jones, GRU Community and priorities. “ Government Relations Director, at 352-393-1005 or Ms. Maria Houle, Project Director, at 352-374-8290.

Ace is now the construction industry’s fastest-growing high school mentoring program with 31,000 students and 5,000 mentors participating in over 40 states and 200 cities.

—Mahatma Gandhi

EGI’S OUTREACH TO THE PORTERS COMMUNITY EGI recently partnered with the Porters community to provide financial literacy education and computer technology support for Porters’ residents. EGI has also committed to participating in the annual educational outreach forum. This forum affords EGI an opportunity to share information about the various programs offered at the Santa Fe College its six outreach campuses—including the Blount Center, which is the closest to the Porters community. Computer classes are being held at the Porters’ Community Center and plans are underway to provide educational workshops and parent empowerment support for local families. For more details about community and educational outreach efforts in the Porters community, please call Ms. Gigi Simmons, president of the Porters Community Neighborhood Association, at (352) 792-3958. Ms. Simmons states that the association’s main goal is “To educate, inform, and fight for increased opportunities for the residents of the Porters community. The partnership with the EGI will give our residents an opportunity to feel empowered and to stand firm in our strong historical roots.”

EGI AND THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE EGI is continuing its partnership with the City of Gainesville through two programs. Santa Fe College served as a cosponsor of the Gainesville Job Fair, which featured close to 50 vendors offering jobs or job information for employment in Alachua County and attracted close to 1,000 persons. Added features of this year’s fair were a clothes closet for job seekers and job-related workshops on dress, interview skills and how to conduct job searches. Commissioner Yvonne Hinson-Rawls’ Parent Emissary Program will kick off in the coming months and will match a parent volunteer with a parent that wishes to become more involved in his/her child’s school. The program is part of a county-wide effort that is designed to support and empower parents of school-aged children. The EGI will provide parent empowerment workshops such as Changing the Way We Do Business in the Village Through Parent and Family Empowerment. For more information on this program, please contact

Community Outreach & East Gainesville Instruction’s Annual Newsletter

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Continued partnership with the Rosa Parks Quiet Courage Committee. The committee is dedicated to protecting the legacy of Ms. Rosa Parks and educating youth about the importance of civil rights.

Continued support of the 4A’s (African American Accountability Alliance) in its effort to address the educational crises in schools in Alachua County. The EGI will partner with the 4A’s in its county wide initiative to empower parents and improve the overall graduation rate for high school students.

Continued collaboration toward the restoration of the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in East Gainesville.

This museum, when completed, will celebrate and preserve African American cultural heritage and serve as a multifaceted tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the nation.

The EGI welcomes aboard its newest educational partners: Cone Park Library, Bridges for Prosperity Program at Catholic Charities, Ignite Church, Greater Love and Faith Ministries, Greater Faith Baptist Church, and Plum Creek.

With education as it key focus the EGi continues to connect with many initiatives that will directly impact the Hawthorne community and other areas in the eastern part of Alachua County.

HAWTHORNE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL Educational outreach efforts will continue at Hawthorne Middle/High School under the direction of its principal, Ms. Vieta Jackson-Carter. This past year those Hawthorne High School students who participated in the Santa Fe College PASS program were able to benefit from the college’s resources and many graduating seniors successfully transitioned to the college. Plans are under way to continue this educational partnership for the benefit of students in the Hawthorne community.

PLUM CREEK: ENVISION ALACHUA EGI is going into the second year of partnership with Plum Creek’s Envision Alachua project. Envision Alachua is a community planning process to discuss future economic, environmental, educational, and community development opportunities in Alachua County. Plum Creek has dedicated land it owns in Alachua County for creating economic development opportunities that will support and grow the innovation economy and provide job opportunities and services for all economic levels. One of the major ways of ensuring this economic development and advancement is to create new quality educational programs while strengthening existing programs and facilities in eastern Alachua County. Members of the EGI have served on the Plum Creek Envision Alachua task force since its inception and are involved with the Plum Creek Education subcommittee in East Gainesville. Plum Creek also serves as a SFC partner, assisting with the newly developed REFOCUS program that is designed to provide educational resources for young men ages 18-24.

HAWTHORNE EDUCATION FORUM EGI is a major player in the Hawthorne Education Forum -- a forum recently developed by local school and business partners in Hawthorne to develop a plan that creates greater opportunities for advancement into higher education for children in eastern Alachua County. The Plan is to develop strategies that will positively impact economic development in Hawthorne, expand access to college courses of study and workforce development, and expand business opportunities. All of which, according to the forum’s convener, Ms. Heather Surrency, “Will change the course of history in the Hawthorne Area!”

CONE PARK EGI is on course to support the newest branch in the Alachua County Library District, the Cone Park Library, which will be located in East Gainesville. The Cone Park branch has all of the resources that the main branch offers and will serve residents in East Gainesville and the surrounding areas of Hawthorne, Rochelle, and Windsor. EGI’s contributions will include financial literacy education, programs for fathers, parent empowerment sessions, and computer training classes.

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Named in honor of Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Wright, D.D., the Family Life Center at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church will continue to serve as a central venue for those who need access to computers and want personalized assistance with technology. The EGI prides itself on keeping the computer training classes small, providing personalized attention, and offering a range of courses from the very basic, for those who have had no exposure to computers, to the complex. Located in the central part of East Gainesville, the tech lab allows residents to take computer classes on a regular basis and to learn basic computer skills or improve their current skills through with the assistance of Santa Fe College or community instructors. Standard group courses include PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Word and handling files. The classes continue to serve 150 or more persons in the community each year. All classes are open to the general public. The dates and times for classes are regularly posted in the Gainesville Guardian. Community members are encouraged to suggest other classes they wish to see offered or arrange a small group training class for beginners. For more information about upcoming classes, please call 352-381-3840. All students must register and students are assigned on a first come first served basis. Beginning in January 2013, students who compete a series of computer courses will receive a certificate of course completion through Santa Fe College’s Continuing and Community Education Department.

 Tammy Rich—Computer/  Meayki Batie—Administrative

Assistant  D’Angela Hutchinson—Office

Assistant & Special Projects  Lois Jones and Jessie Milton—

Blount Center Staff support  Bennye Alligood—Vice President

of College & Community Relations.  Carolyn Palmer & Aida Mallard—

Gainesville Guardian/Sun

Technology instructor for almost 4 years on Saturday mornings in East Gainesville.  Deloris Rentz—Editing  Telisha Martin—Publication Design

and Layout  Mt. Carmel Baptist Church— for

consistent use of facilities and the technology lab.  All community, faith-based and

business partners that are committed to educational development