Where: Generations, 81 Memorial drive, Avon MA- Sunday, August 8, 2010, From 6:00pm to 10:00pm.

The purpose of this event is pledge the financial support of the members of the community, the elected officials, the religious and business leaders to the educational and social economic development programs of the Mattapan/ Greater Boston Technology Learning Center. "Together we can"

The Mattapan/ Greater Boston Technology Learning Center (Mattapan Tech) is a non-profit adult vocational certification school that focuses on, but is not limited to, providing hands on professional training in the fields of project management, computer, network and information technology. Mattapan Tech opens the door of opportunity to low income individuals who cannot afford the cost of a private career school. In addition to technology courses, Mattapan Tech also offers ESL and citizenship classes.

The goal is to raise $20,000 to help sustain Mattapan Tech's current programs and develop new activities aimed at empowering the community.             

  $10,000 will be used to add two ESL classes in Mattapan to train 50 newcomers in English, US history and basic computer training during a 9-month period.

Following the earthquake in Haiti, many Haitians arrived in Boston with humanitarian and visitor visas. In addition, the US Homeland Security granted work authorization to thousands of Haitians, most of them have been in Massachusetts illegally for many years and did not have the opportunity to work or to go to school. This new group will be a liability to society in the near future if they don't receive proper training leading to a smooth social transition and integration. Mattapan Tech has nearly 200 prospective students on a waiting list.

  $5,000 will be used toward the purchase of new technology for the PC Repair/ Networking Program.

With the changes in technology industry, the lab equipment and software must be changed frequently in order to train the students on the most current aspects in the field. The leftover funds will be used towards paying the registration and lab fees for young men and women who are unable to afford to attend the program.

  $2,500 to reopen Mattapan Tech's Children Relief and Youth Program in Carrefour, Haiti.

Over the past 5 years, through a small grant from Town Computer, the Mattapan Tech created the Haitian Children's Relief Project consisting of distributing bread to local schools and a food for work program that allowed parents to earn a living. In the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake that destroyed Port-Au-Prince and Carrefour, we were forced to close down this program temporarily because of damage to the building where our office and bakery are located in Cote Plage 24, Haiti. The repair costs for the bakery are estimated at $5000. We will provide a loan of $2500 to help with the repair of the bakery.

  $2,500 to repair Mattapan Tech's Dental Clinic in Carrefour, Haiti

Many of our trained volunteers in Haiti have been recorded dead or vanished after the earthquake. Mattapan Tech is planning a seminar to train new volunteers and purchase new equipment to restart the youth program and build on the foundation that we have built up during the past 5 years that were damaged by the tragedy.

The Mattapan/ Greater Boston Technology Learning Center (Mattapan Tech) is a registered non-profit organization. At Mattapan Tech the primary goal is to provide job training and job search to low income residents of Greater Boston in the area of computer technology and management.

The programs offered include English As a Second Language, Basic Physics and Mathematics, Computer Technology, PC Repair, Network Technology, Database Management, MS Office, Basic Accounting, Team Building, Communication, Resume Preparation and Job Interview seminars.

80% of Mattapan Tech students pass their professional certification test in Office, PC Repair or Project Management even before they complete the program.

The student population of Mattapan Tech is composed of 40% Haitian, 25% other Caribbean nationals (Barbadian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, Monserratian, etc.), 7% Africans (Ghana, Congo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, etc.), 5% African American, 2% others (India, Pakistan, China), and 1% Hispanic. Most of the students are from Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Randolph, Brockton, Somerville, Cambridge, Malden, Everett, Lynn and Waltham. We have a few students from other states neighboring states New Hampshire and Rhodes Island.

The services of Mattapan Tech are essentially free. Students pay a small registration and lab fee that vary between $50-$300, depending on the length and the operating costs of the program of choice. The school offers limited financial assistance to those who cannot afford that small obligation.

Besides the educational programs of Mattapan Tech, the center is involved in the following community projects:

  Voter registration and education program to encourage people to get involved and participate in the US Democracy;                                                                                                                                     A free translation program for Haitian immigrants;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         An Immigration Assistance Program in collaboration with local Attorneys;                                                                                                                                                                                                     Community civic awareness radio shows to inform and educate new immigrants about citizen rights and responsibilities;                                                                                                                                 Summer technology program for youth;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Youth program in Haiti that includes: HIV and teen pregnancy prevention, a community library, a computer lab and a dental program.

From people like you and small businesses.

Mattapan Tech is not government funded; the school does not receive any assistance from the local government or any public or private corporation. The programs are carried out thanks to volunteers, local professionals and small contributions from local residents and small community business owners who have pride in their community organization.

The strongest asset of Mattapan Tech is the dedication of volunteer teams and the commitment of the executive director and founder, Karrie Ann Jean, to the community and to the institution.

Karrie Ann Jean has been managing the institution on a voluntary basic since its creation and she has put together a solid and very competent team of volunteers to carry out the purpose and goals of the organization. She is also highly crafted at managing a very conservative budget.

The students in the PC Repair program contribute work hours as part of their lab requirements. This results in extra income for the school.

Last year, Mattapan Tech trained 600 students in English as a Second Language, computer related and management programs and provided other assistance to 876 clients with an incredible budget of less than $50,000.

Mattapan Tech's educational programs are run by highly qualified professionals in local church basements and in their main lab located at 24 Regis Road in Mattapan.

Last year, Mattapan Tech's largest expenses came from rent, marketing and advertising: 

  $12,000 for rent;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          $8,000 for marketing and advertising;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           $2,400 for office utilities;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               $2,500 for liability insurance;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        $20,000 for volunteers work-related expenses reimbursement (buying books, educational equipment or movie rentals, special training, and license fees) and approved work-related activity costs (field trip, travel expenses, fundraising event) and bonuses;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          $3,000 for classroom utilities and lab equipment repair or replacement.

1.  On January 13, 2010, Mattapan Tech arranged a search and recovery project, the first to help Haitian families in Massachusetts locate their loved ones. With the help of the local and national media, this effort reached Haitian communities in New York, Georgia and Florida. Hundreds of families were assisted, and work is still being conducted with the Red Cross to locate several more individuals.

2.  On January 13, Mattapan Tech also begin a grief counseling project in collaboration with local churches and mosques.

3.  On January 25, 2010, Mattapan Tech was able to deliver much needed water to Lacou Mouzin in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in collaboration with volunteers and friends through the Dominican Republic.

4. Volunteers at Mattapan Tech organized 4 immigration clinics to help Haitian immigrants with TPS applications.

5. Thanks to special donations from Erika Wilton, Architect Todd Lee, Valerie Lake Hart, Alex Rosen, Rob and Jennifer Welch, Mattapan Tech assisted 30 families with a consistent supply of food and water after the quake.

a) You can help by participating in the banquet on August 8, 2010, and meet our board members, our students and our staff. Bid in our silent auction, buy a raffle ticket, have a Sunday evening dance or sit down to enjoy the music.

b) Help us selling the tickets at your workplace, in your organization and among your friends.

c) Donate an item or service to be raffled or auctioned to benefit Mattapan Tech.

d) Become an event sponsor by making a donation of $250 or more. Your name will be printed in all promotional materials and event documents; in addition, you will receive two complimentary tickets.

e) Become a business sponsor by making a donation of $500 or more. The name of your business will be included in all promotional materials, radio advertising spots and all event documents; in addition, you will receive 4 complimentary tickets.

f) Become one of Mattapan Tech sponsors by making a donation of $1000 or more. Your name or the name of your business will be listed in all promotional materials, mentioned in our radio announcements, posted on our school wall, as well as on our website as a sponsor for a period of one year.

g) Make a direct donation of any amount to Mattapan Tech. Send your check to Mattapan Tech, 24 Regis Road, Mattapan, MA 02126

www.mattapantech.org

617-696-6852

Jacques Dady Jean                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Mattapan Technology Learning Center                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        24 Regis Rd                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Mattapan, MA 02126