Learning Center to launch adult learning

ABBEVILLE - The Briggs Learning Center has a record of success with the youth of the parish tutoring and mentoring during the after school program.

Now, the board wants to take the opportunity for learning to the adult segment of the population with one on one tutoring, GED preparation classes and work readiness courses.

Joining together with Goodwill Industries of Acadiana and Volunteer Instructors Teaching Adults (VITA), the center hopes to expand educational services with the help of volunteer tutors from the community with such skills as reading, learning to use a computer, preparation for driver’s license tests, interviewing skills and how to search for a job.

“If Abbeville is going to succeed, we have to help not only the growth of our children, but also of our adults,” Reverend Hall, director of the adult program stated.

“Getting the adults trained is only going to help in the economic growth of the area,” he said.

VITA will supply the software for computers and also other materials that will aid the tutors as they sit one on one with the “students”.

“One thing VITA does in conjunction with us is to help ready the adults to a level where they are ready to take the GED preparation course,” Joel Vincent of Goodwill Industries of Acadiana said.

Vincent, a native of Vermilion Parish said he is excited to bring the program to his home.

Goodwill Industries Job Connection program offers the GED classes, Workplace Readiness, Workplace Literacy and youth opportunity classes.

The Workplace Readiness program is designed to identify and address an individual’s barriers to success. Some of the items reviewed are career decision making, communication, decision making, problem solving, job searching, resume and job application, interview techniques, basic computer and other associated workplace skills.

“We’ve done what we can with the children,” Rev. Hall stated.

Over the past year the students enrolled in the tutoring program started with a 1.5 grade point average. The group is now up to 2.7 GPA and all passed the LEAP on the first try.

“Now it is time to bring in the adults and do the same thing for them,” he added.

The program will be open to all as the director and board want it to be an all inclusive program, but the strength of the program will lie in the tutors.

It is yet undetermined exactly when classes and tutoring will be held, but the program is expected to be ready to go by the time school convenes this fall.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering their time to this program is encouraged to call 893-7550 and leave their name and contact information.