Written by Danielle Wallingsford Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:41
IMPACT Learning Center has assisted hundreds of individuals with making a fresh start and now they are making their own. The organization has moved their facilities from the old Page lunchroom to the old Scottsboro Police Department, next to KFC.
Before they started calling the old police department home they gave it a few minor face lifts, including some new doors, flooring and a few coats of paint. Now, people in search of higher education or a job can gain knowledge and help in a clean, modernized and professional setting. “We’re really excited about the new building, we should be here for a while,” said Director Ann Kennamer.
IMPACT got the opportunity to rent the building from the city back in December. At the time, Mayor Melton Potter suggested to the council that leasing the building to IMPACT for $1.00 a year would be a good idea since there had been little interest from anyone to purchase the property and IMPACT could use the extra space and parking. IMPACT officially reopened on June 5.
Kennamer explained that IMPACT is an outgrow of a Rotary Club project that, after the 1990 Census, found that 17% of Jackson County citizens were functionally illiterate and that 42% didn’t have high school diplomas or GED. “We’re very proud to announce that according to the 2012 Census the number without a high school diploma or GED is 27%. Even with only 27% of the population not having that, we know that there are pockets throughout the county where there’s still work to be done. We would like everyone to have a high school diploma,” Kennamer said.
IMPACT, which stands for Individually Managed Personal Achievement and Career Training, offers computer training, job networking, workforce development and adult education. “One of the big missions of IMPACT Learning Center is to provide basic education, higher education opportunities and workforce training. You have to keep reducing the high school dropout rate,” said Kennamer.
One program that IMPACT offers to help students earn their high school diploma is CHOICES. “We go into the sixth grade to try to help these children to see what kinds of choices they have and how what decisions they make in the sixth grade have consequences for them in their future,” Beverly Allen of IMPACT said. The CHOICES program sends volunteers into sixth grade classrooms in Scottsboro and Jackson County to facilitate a two hour hands on workshop that encourage students to stay on the right track for success. Ron Bailey said, “I think the name of the program says it all. Kids are really not familiar with the concept of choices and that they have choices in their life.” Allen will be conducting CHOICES volunteer training on August 28 at 1:30 p.m. The session lasts about two hours. If you are interested in volunteering you may contact her at 256-218-2121.
To learn more about IMPACT Learning Center visit their website at http://impactlearningcenter.org.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
