Program Syllabus – B

Job Training Service Modules

The Employment Training & Certification Modules will specialize in specific job areas that meet the immediate employer demand. The modules will also provide occupational preparation in English, Math, Blueprint Reading, Construction and Property Rehab Skills, Electrical Wiring, Plumbing, and On-the-Job Experience. Additional Modules including but not limited to Basic Educational Services and Leadership Development Counseling. The central objective focuses on the rehabitation of low-income rental housing and vacant commercial space within Zip Code 60612’s Empowerment Zones, and Greater Chicago.

This Module of the Participants’ training will be developed with the advice and assistance of experts in apprenticeship training, providing assistance in developing structured program modules to teach specific job-related skills. The Community Housing and Training program participants will work on construction and rehabilitation projects in the target 60612 areas; and eventually in Federal Empowerment communities in other West Side Zip codes as well.

This course consists of closely supervised, on-the-job work experience at a local construction site. Students will become familiar with construction terminology; common work procedures in different construction trades; the importance of teamwork; and safetlyprocedures. Supervisors will be men and women when they have achieved journeyman status in their respective trades, and the radio of students to supervisors will be no more than 7:1.

Computer Lab

This Module will serve teenagers and adults annually, teaching low-income people to take advantage of the educational and economic tools and opportunities presented by computer technology. In the 21st century economy, everyone needs to have access to computer technology to give them a cuting edge to succeed in life. Computer Literacy is a fundamental skill in our 2010 modern world. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said at a 2010 news conference at the Al Raby School for Community and Environment: In technology – as in too many other areas of our society – there’s a wide gap between the haves and have-nots. it’s known as the digital divide. And as it widens … the people on the wrong side of the divide generally have low incomes and less education.

Participants (students) in this Module will become familiar with the operation of a personal computer and offered an array of computer-assisted instruction for all of their courses. They will be encouraged to practice on the computer, and typing tutorial programs will be available. Supervised group exercises and drills of basic PC functions (such as using the control, shift, and alternate keys) will lead to individualized and personalized learning on the PC (Internet and research access; word processing; graphic design and spreadsheet software; computer tutorials and technical support. The Community and Housing Training program will also provide computer-assisted instruction in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

Participants will be available to reinforce concepts learned in their classes using software that allows them to repeat operations and view screens with information at their own page. The Computer Lab will be available at a scheduled class time and during designated evening and weekend hours.

Sustainable Communities

This course provides an overview of integrated housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers the community and its residents through case studies of local neighborhood development, ethnic history, business investments and construction industry within 60612 Zip Code and surrounding neighborhoods. Participants will use the latest community resources, newspaper, Internet websites, interviews,a nd other resources to research and understand their own community. Principles of scientific inquiry, such as observation and experimentation, will provide tools for inquiry in various social science disciples.

Construction Skills

The first 25 clients (who must range in ages between 17 to 65) to sign up for construction and rehab program will participate in the designing and building of four (4) three-bedroom single-family homes from the ground up. Certain prefabricated sections of the homes will be provided by American Elite Homes in Kannapolis, North Caroline, who will deliver the sections to the construction site to assist in the assembly. One of the completed homes will be used as a transitional residence for any homeless family up to six (6) months; the other three homes will be rented out as Section-8 residential properties. All funds generated from these rental properties will go directly into replicating construction training and building more residential accommodations for low-income individuals, homeless families, and senior citizens.

1:00 P.M. Construction Skills and On-the-Job Training
2:00 P.M. Construction Skills and On-the-Job Training
3:00 P.M. Construction Skills and On-the-Job Training
4:00 P.M. Analytical Thinking, Math, Analytical Thinking, Leadership Counseling

Leadership Counseling

This component of the Community Housing and Training (CHT) program transcends its allotted class time by being a component of all of classroom and job site experience. Participants will work together to solve problems, negotiate solutions, and present divergent points of view. The participants will discuss issues of personal development, keep journals of their experiences in the program, and encourage each other to seek solutions for such problems as anger management, sexual abuse, martial difficulties, or legal problems. This component of the program will also focus on high school equivalency testing through the GED exam, driver education, job placement, college referral, and other services as needed.