| Statistics
show that poverty and lack of education go hand
in hand, manifested by the fact that 50 percent
of all people unemployed in the U. S. are functionally
illiterate. The U. S. Department of Health and
Human Services recently published that education
of the parent is the single greatest predictor
of whether a child will be raised in poverty. To
meet this challenge, BridgeBuilders offers a
number of programs to assist the residents meet
and surpass their education goals.
GED Class
The GED class meets Monday through Thursday, 12pm - 3pm under the leadership of Ms. Julie Busse. This class is one of the most successful in the city of Dallas with more than 30 students receiving their certification over the last three years.
College and Trade School
Students are
encouraged to continue their education through
a partnership with El Centro Community College.
A staff member from BridgeBuilders offices on site
to monitor and encourage. In the
last two years, eighteen students have enrolled in
community college or trade schools such as cosmetology
and computer technology.
English as a Second Language Classes
ESL classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30pm-8:30pm through a partnership with Dallas Independent School District. This class was created as BridgeBuilders saw that many families in the South Dallas neighborhood are spanish-speaking and have a great interest in improving their English skills.
Computer Training
Computer Technician Training is offered Monday - Thursday from 10am - 2pm in the Rhaods Terrace community.
Classes focusing
on introductory to intermediate computer skills are offered weekday evenings in the Turner Court Rec Center computer lab..
BridgeBuilders was
the recipient of the Neighborhood Network Center
grant from Dallas Housing Authority allowing the lab to be available for residents to perform job searches and receive assistance in resume writing.
Education Partners
BridgeBuilders
works closely with the Dallas Independent School
District, Boys and Girls Club of Dallas, El Centro
and Bill J. Priest and Eastfield Community Colleges, Sanford
Brown Institute, Project Turnaround of Oak Cliff
Bible Fellowship, and
the Dallas Housing Authority to ensure participants
are offered every opportunity to reach their full
potential in education.
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