Bresee Technology and Employment Services provide youth and adults in the community with access to computer technology and job training. The program provides access to technological resources often out of reach to low-income community members, teaches marketable skills, and enhances job placement opportunities.

The CyberHood Community Computing Center
Bresee Foundation’s CyberHood Community Computing Center provides computer access and technology to the community, and is divided into two technological exploration environments.

The first, its Computer Training Center, provides young people open technological access each day after school. Students utilize self-paced software learning packets to learn basic through advanced computer skills in a variety of industry-standard applications, complete homework assignments, and enjoy educational and entertainment software. The center can be divided into two classrooms (12- and 16-stations each) and is also utilized for CyberHood computer classes for youth and adults. It is available for rental to community agencies as well. It is equipped with 28 Internet-networked iMacs, black-and-white and color laser printers, scanners, a computerized drawing slate, and state-of-the art projection equipment. Enclosed in the training center is a Multimedia Studio equipped with two G4 Macintoshes with 23” flat screen monitors and a professional scanner and drawing slate. Center participants can check out digital video equipment for in-house use as well as for projects where they will be accompanied by staff. Professional multimedia and business productivity software is installed on all computers, and many of the computers in the Computer Training Center are capable of high-end digital editing.

The second technological exploration environment, Bresee’s CyberHood CyberCafé, provides 12 iMacs and a G4 Macintosh for adults 16 and above weekdays from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. All computers are equipped with industry-standard business productivity and multimedia applications. Members utilize the CyberCafé for Internet research, job seeking, gaining new software applications with CyberHood learning packets, learning English, and completing personal projects. The G4s are used for digital editing and utilizing professional multimedia applications. The CyberCafé provides copying and faxing services, and sells office supplies at cost.
Both technological exploration environments are staffed with bilingual teachers and volunteers who are available to provide one-on-one training and assistance.

Computer Classes
Community Computer classes and workshops are available to youth and adults to help them learn industry-standard software applications that will increase their ability to secure better employment opportunities.

Adults—anyone 16 and older—attend evening computer classes. They learn keyboarding skills, as well as word processing, spreadsheet and other business productivity software applications. Most of these courses are offered in both English and Spanish.

Young people attend after-school workshops in business productivity and multimedia applications. They also take multimedia classes during their vacation periods through our Arts and Multimedia Productions (AMP).program. Students who graduate from AMP classes may be employed by Bresee Youth Design, our in-house multimedia business. BYD employees create web sites, fliers, brochures, stationery and newsletters for local businesses and organizations.

Job Training and Employment Opportunities
The program also provides job training and employment opportunities through its STEP, INTRAC and AMP programs. An employment coordinator conducts a skills assessment and pre-employment training while a job developer assists all youth and adults, with a special emphasis on 14-21 year olds, in finding employment and internship opportunities. Participants take exploration trips to businesses and corporations to learn about career opportunities. Job training workshops help students learn how to look for employment, write a resume and how to succeed during an interview.

For more information on Technology and Employment Services contact Seth Eklund at (213) 387-2822, ext. 128.