Institute's Programs and Services Accomplishments
During the Institute's early years of existence, we provided K-12 independent study and adult job training programs. The independent study program provided one-on-one (individualized) instructions. Ninety-eight percent of our enrolled students graduated and eighty-five percent of them enrolled in a college or university. Eighty-five percent of our adult students graduated and seventy-eight percent of them found gainful employment.
For the past few years, our Institute has been operating as a non-profit corporation. Today our focus is on: (1) exposing low-income and minority youths to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM). (2) providing free academic tutoring that enables youth to pass required high school and college examinations; (3) providing job opportunities and retraining information for unemployed family heads. As of January 2014, a total of 275 youths have participated in our program. We have witnessed a 23% increase in students' test scores and a 31% increase in students passing college entrance examinations.
By participating in technology workshops, unemployed family heads have recognized the need to be retrained. Approximately 55% percent of our 150 family participants have enrolled in local colleges and training institutions.
All of the services are being provided by volunteers. The volunteers consist of retired engineering/science professors, teachers, parents and college students.