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Adult Technology Based Learning at G.R.O.W.

Contributed by: JACQUELINE REASON on 7/22/2008

After being out of school for many years you have decided to complete your education. You enrolled at G.R.O.W. and it is your first day attending. After entering the building and dropping off your child at the licensed and secured, on-site child care facility. You continue on to your classroom where you find a culturally diverse group of adult learners. Each has on headphones and are clicking away on their keyboards and mouse, navigating their virtual classrooms. As you move further into the room you notice an area where a group is working together on some sort of project, others are working one-on-one with a tutor, while some are reading and working on their laptops in the comfort of a sitting area. You also notice from the computer screens, books, and other learning resources that everyone is not enrolled in the same course or even at the same school. What you learn is that some are completing high school, some are taking career training, while others are working on obtaining a college degree. Everyone is working and learning at their own pace while receiving lots of support and encouragement from staff and their peers. You smile and exhale because you know this is just the right place for you. It's a technology-based learning (TBL) environment established specifically for adult learnersfacing educational attainment as a major barrier to employment, a livable wage, or career growth.There is even a preparatory program offered for those that must develop the skills to fully participate in technology based learning. It is perfect for busy adults that must maintain the maximum amount of flexibility in their day in order to balance work and business demands, family responsibilities, and school requirements. There is even a café and office and print center in the facility to conveniently purchase food, beverages, snacks, school supplies,copies/prints, typing and/or document finishing services for your classes, business, or job. These additional services will help you minimize travel time, gas consumption, and give you the ability to complete many tasks from one central location.

The G.R.O.W. organization has streamlined their service delivery method to assist more individuals and affect greater educational attainment by focusing resources on what they do best, which is to provide supportive services and preparatory classes in a trusting atmosphere,free from intimidation. We encourage each individual to share their vision for the future, go back to school, and take smaller steps toward who/what they aspire to become. Hundreds of students per year can enroll, a dramatic increase over the 25 to 50 annually the organization has been limited to enrolling in the past. G.R.O.W. differs from state and federally funded colleges, universities, One Stop Centers, and adult education programs because these institutions are required to focus on preparing students for high tech/high wage jobs. G.R.O.W. is operated at the grassroots level by natives of Indian River County with its programs focused on career training services that lead to entry-level or semi-skilled jobs and higher wages. According to the State of Florida, a high wage earner in our region enters employment earning around $12.50 or more per hour. The State publishes an occupations list that identifies high tech/high wage jobs.

G.R.O.W.'s training programs and support services has helpedmany young adults successfully complete high school, obtain a post-secondary credential, increase their earnings, gain work experience, and become self-sufficient. The first group of program completers entered employment 7 years ago. Many have remained with the same employerfive years or more, been promoted into higher wage jobs, become self-employed, or enrolled in college/vocational programs. From 2004 to mid-2005, the organization was inoperable as a result of its total destruction from Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances. The next year was spent identifying and re-establishing their new training facility located at the 43rd Avenue Trade Center. Since September 2007 the focus has been on obtaining various licenses and developing/implementing several service options as a foundation for financial and program sustainability. Local employers that need a resource to access a pool of qualified applicants to fill entry-level or semi-skilled jobs can benefit from the organization's work.

G.R.O.W. collaborates with the University of Central Florida and is finalizing new collaborations with private schools and colleges to offer a high school diploma, and a larger selection of career options via technology based learning. Management training, technical assistance, business plan development, and various office and clerical services are available for existing or aspiring small business operators. An apprenticeship training optionwill alsobe offered beginning January 2009, pending final approval.

If you are an adult with a desire for personal and professional growth, a positive attitude, respect for others ideas, and a willingness to invest in your future we are confident thatthe staff at G.R.O.W.can help. Individuals from all backgrounds and cultures are welcome to apply. High school seniors qualify to participate as an after-school program option in preparation for entering the workforce. Deadline to apply for acceptance and financial aid for the September training session is August 15th.

Ways to Show Your Support

The supportive, trusting, and comforting environment that has been created for adult learners is the primary driver of participant success at G.R.O.W. The organization does not receive state, federal, or workforce grants, but have put many options in place for the public to show its support.

Child care services has been implemented at G.R.O.W. to support the organizational mission, assist in achieving performance goals and objectives, and to address the need for more infant and toddler care in our community as identified by various local non-profits and government agencies so parents can enter/retain employment or return to school. By August 8 th, thirty-two (32) children ages 6 weeks to 18 months will be enrolled making the organization the largest provider of infant services in IRC. A limited number of children age 19 months to 5 years will be enrolled into toddler/preschool/VPK classes.

The calm and cozy environment in which children learn and play provides parents the comforts of knowing their children are safe and loved, and the ability to fully concentrate on work or studies. Our fee structure could decrease the cost of infant care for enrolling parents by $100-$200 per month. Open enrollment for infants, toddlers and a very limited number of children for preschool and voluntary pre-k are now under way until August 8th.

Office and Print Center provides professional, affordable clerical and printing services to support small business operators, other non-profits, and churches. Contact our office to inquire about how we can help your organization with special projects or for more information on these services.

G.R.O.W. will facilitate fundraising excursions to the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida during the months of August and September 2008 to raise money to purchase more educational resources for the child development program and to update our playground. Joe DiBartolo and Tom Cooke, volunteer operators of The Café at GROW, will host a golf tournament this comingFall to raise money for establishing academic libraries and expanding available educational and career resources for adult students. You can donate $5 to the organization and save 10%-20% at Macy's on Saturday, September 20th. Businesses are encouraged to save and donate empty toner cartridges.

Meaningful volunteer opportunities are available for several qualified English, math, language arts, science, and history tutors. We also need career tutors with several years of experience in specific industries or trades, the ability to answer questions, explain related policy and procedures, and demonstrate methods to students.

Tax-deductible contributions forsponsorshipsand in-kind services such as information technology, accounting, legal services, and website development/ maintenance are also needed.

Please contact our office at (772) 563-0660 or visit us at 3300 43rd Avenue, Suite 1-3, in Vero Beach, Florida.




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