New computer centre trains youth in tech, life skills
RICHMOND HILL, ON—GTA Faith Alliance has opened a new computer maintenance centre to help teach young people how to repair machines and change lives.
Don Meredith, president of GTA Faith Alliance, says the goal of The PC Maintenance and Repair Youth Employment Skills Program is to provide young people with both the skills they need to find a job and the tools they require to make a positive difference in their community.
"They start off with basic software training leading up to hardware," says Michelle Meredith, manager of the GTA Faith Alliance Computer Repair Centre. "Then they learn to take apart a computer, look at the components and put it back together."
Students also learn how to create a resume, interview for a job and dress for employment, as well as receiving counseling. The program is being funded in part by the Regional Municipality of York through the New Agency Development Funds. The United States Consulate donated computers, and Enbridge, Staples and Big Tech have provided aid towards the construction and setting up of the centre. The eight to 12-week program is free for those under the age of 24. Adults ages 25 and up are charged a flat rate of $250.
"We're giving them the tools to be job-ready," says Claudette Clarke, manager of community outreach programs at GTA Faith Alliance. "We're enhancing their abilities to be better citizens and to give them the opportunities that lead to a successful life."
"This has been part of our mandate to create safe spaces for youth to learn, to create spaces for young people, to street them away from negative behavior and into a positive environment where they can receive mentorship and counseling to be successful," says Don Meredith. "We are now working to create more spaces like these across the GTA where young people can grow and develop their skills and abilities."
While the GTA Faith Alliance is faith-based and the centre is run by Christians, participants do not have to be Christians to sign up.
"It's about creating a positive environment," Don Meredith adds. "We're here for anyone from any background who wants to learn. We're here to see changes in the lives of these youth."
Nicholas Odonkor is one of the first students to be taking this course. He says that while he took computer courses in high school, he was not given the amount of time or attention to learn that he receives through the Repair Centre program.
"In high school I took basic fundamentals," he says, "but I didn't have advanced knowledge. This summer, I was at home doing nothing so I decided to use my time wisely. The teachers here are really patient, and go over and over things again so that everybody will be ok with it. Here it takes just five minutes to learn something that in high school took an hour to do. I think it's fun and it's really encouraging to be here."
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