Computer Literacy Program

Since its launch in 2002, KYCC’s computer literacy program has helped over 760 children and adults from low-income or limited-English speaking environments expand their computer knowledge. Our eight-week computer literacy training sessions have been a great success and are filled to capacity with adults seeking to enhance their careers, as well as parents wanting to help their children with their studies. In addition, students have the option to attend open lab hours offered during the week. The open lab provides a forum for students to continue to explore different interests and gain a better understanding of computers. Students from previous sessions volunteer to provide assistance during open lab hours.

KYCC also provides daylong technology workshops. Each workshop focuses on a technology-related issue relevant to the Koreatown community, including identity fraud prevention, purchasing a computer, and how to access school district Web sites and other public sites. Currently, KYCC’s computer literacy programs are supported through grants from the California Consumer Protection Foundation and Young Nak Presbyterian Church.

Through its Organizational Technical Assistance (OTA) Program, KYCC offers other nonprofit organizations affordable assistance in designing computer systems to improve their management of human resources, fiscal and administrative operations. OTA’s overall goal is to help organizations effectively utilize information technology to provide better services and increase their service capacity. KYCC’s OTA program is supported in part through a grant from the Whitecap Foundation.

For more information, please contact Dorian Caal at (213) 365-7400, ext. 114 or by e-mail at dcaal@kyccla.org.

Early Learning

KYCC’s Children Center, located at Immanual Church, has been providing Koreatown with a quality early childhood program for six months and is running well. The teachers provide a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and hands-on experiences with open-ended materials for children to explore. One activity involves a water table that creates sensory experiences that appeal to young children while promoting independent learning.

Simply by playing with water, children are developing math concepts and motor skills and learning about science. At the same time, they are developing friendships, building social skills and beginning a life long love for learning.

KYCC is currently enrolling and taking applicants for children ages 0-5 for our second center on Crenshaw, which will open early this year. For more information contact Tracie West at (213) 389-3191, ext. 104 or twest@kyccla.org. Take a look at our new site at www.kyccla.org/childcare.

Youth Development Leadership Retreat

The youth development unit at KYCC held its annual leadership retreat Dec. 22 through 24. Two leadership development groups, The Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Program (YDAPP) and Youth Venture, traveled together to Man Min retreat site for three days of team building, leadership development and bonding. A total of 21 students and volunteers spent the retreat planning for an upcoming KYCC dance, participating in team building activities, and focusing on each group’s education goals for the upcoming New Year.