January 14, 2004

Community Technology Center Engages Youth and Adults

What does it take for a congregation to become an integral part of its surrounding community? Possible answers are as unique to location as they are to the gifts and talents of members and friends who want to reach out. One Mission Center found ways to serve youth and adults in its city and completely engage community members as volunteers who help keep projects going.

With financial support from various organizations, the Southern Great Lakes International Mission Center (then Detroit International Stake) saw a way to meet educational and social needs in the Detroit, Michigan, area. They envisioned a community technology center for the city. An application was filed for a Community of Christ Tangible Love grant in 1999 to supplement funding from a federal grant. With these approved, renovations to the Detroit congregation were underway to make the center a reality.

computer training

By 2000, the center was in full swing. Former Community Technology Center (CTC) project manager and peace and justice minister Gwen Simpson said, “This program continues to be an exciting journey for those involved. Opportunities for classes serving people of all ages are endless. Because of advertising in the local neighborhood newsletter, people are beginning to identify us with the community.” That year the center began offering classes for third and fourth graders from two elementary schools, Internet classes for junior and senior high students, and three adult classes that focused on new topics every six weeks.

youth camp at the CTC

Mission Center financial officer Ed Merz reported that the CTC has operated a six-week youth camp for the past four summers thanks to funding from the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellows Fund of Detroit. Beginning in 2002, the center was able to offer expanded hours during the camp because of additional funds from Weed & Seed and the US Department of Agriculture. Participation in the camp grew significantly with the new schedule and approximately 40 youth were registered for the 2003 camp.

Several activities were also added, including drug education, computer, arts, and language classes. Camp participants had the opportunity to build their own puppets, play cooperative games, and go on field trips. Through a special program titled Reality Check, youth were able to meet and interact with local police officers each week.

Mission Center president Jerry van Rossum reported that all aspects of the 2003 camp were directed by volunteer community personnel from the Eighth Precinct of the Detroit police department. “The camp was based on the principles of Young Peacemakers Club,” said van Rossum. “Youth learned about how to get along, nonviolence, and computers by using them at the Community Technology Center.”

Merz shared that with funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the technology center partnered with the City of Detroit to offer an intense twelve-week computer operators program. Twenty students participated in the training to learn software programs, e-mail management, and Internet access. They also received soft skills training such as financial management, Covey principles, conflict resolution, resumé writing, and interviewing skills.

By building relationships with community businesses, the CTC was able to help place program graduates in full-time jobs. With seventy percent of the students completing the program, it was a great success. Simpson reported that the community has been “very open to the goals of the center. We have several volunteers from the neighborhood who assist in CTC classes.”

Simpson was especially grateful to have received a Tangible Love grant. “The physical changes made to the church with the use of those funds made it possible to provide a professional facility that houses the center within the existing church structure.” A combination of government and church funds led to the successful offering of opportunities that impact individuals, families, and the community now with unlimited future potential.

Partnerships with other organizations have also helped the center grow significantly. The neighborhood association has utilized the building for its meetings. A recreation center across the street from the church partnered with the CTC during the summer children’s camps.

Simpson said, “The opportunities in the communities are limited only by our time constraints and the number of available people.” She feels the scripture “the field is white already to harvest,” (John 4:37) has been a truth for the CTC. “We find ourselves engaged with people from other faiths who are committed and passionate about the needs of the people of Detroit,” she explained.

Start-up funding provided by the Tangible Love Fund and federal grants truly got the CTC going and growing as it established roots in the community. Van Rossum noted that the center is completely a volunteer organization at this time, currently under the direction of church planter John Atkinson. The Mission Center is seeking grant funding from several sources to sustain the very active center’s ministry, establishing it as a long-lasting community service.

Tangible Love grants are available for peace, justice, and compassionate ministries sponsored by Community of Christ congregations and jurisdictions. These grants are supported by the church’s Oblation Fund. For more information about Tangible Love ministries, visit www.CofChrist.org/tlove/.

--Kendra Friend reporting