After nearly eight years of research, planning and development, The Life Long Learning & Resource Center, an intergenerational program for youth, parents and caregivers, had its grand opening Dec. 11.
"Our mission is to enhance academic achievement of each participant as well as to promote career and social development, and foster positive relationships with both parents and peers," said Judy Moore and Dr. Octavia Madison-Colmore, directors of the program, said in a joint statement.
"In our ever-changing workplace and society today, there continues to be a dire need to raise the educational bar for our minority youth. This is a regional effort. It's not just limited to Alexandria," said Moore, founder of the program.
"This is a new program with a great potential for good. It is the one to watch in 2005," said Vice Mayor Redella "Del" Pepper, after her participation in the ribbon cutting ceremony initiating the organization's new headquarters at 1315 Duke St.
"The object of the program is to provide updated knowledge to help students be up to speed in school. The services we provide include individualized learning plans, tutoring, personal and career counseling, a personal coach, and on-going support. All these will be beneficial in the longevity of their educational postsecondary choices," said Curtis Moore, the center's CEO.
There are now 30 youths and their families participating, according to Judy Moore. "But there are no limits until the goals are met. We meet with them individually, do an individualized assessment of their needs and then assign an appropriate staff member," she said. Students range in age from 12 to 18.
Fees are based on family income and can range from $2 to $50 per one-hour counseling session, including tutoring time, Moore said.
"We also pair them up with community mentors who are working in the field in which the student has an interest," Madison-Colmore said. "We know that they are capable of using their physical skills, and now we want to help expand their mental skills."
The 10-member volunteer staff of the non-profit organization was selected based on youth needs, according to Moore.
"Through a partnership with George Washington University, participants are able to receive both personal and career counseling. We also offer bi-monthly workshops on a variety of topics, and these workshops are available to the public," Moore said.
"To kick off the new year, we are sponsoring a special workshop on 'Rebuilding the Family: Understanding Family Values.' The family component is what's really exciting about this program. Learning is not just an individual task but a collective task," Curtis Moore said.
"We want our parents and caregivers to be equally involved in the success of their children. We know that the choices our youth make today will have an impact on them for the rest of their future," he said.
For more information visit www.lifelearningcoach.org, call 03-836-6127 or email professormoore@earthlink.net.