Learning Center
At the Rescue Mission, we do more than get people off the street. We help them build a foundation for a changed life. Education is an important piece of that foundation and having a high school diploma is the first step in that educational development. Individual tutoring and computer based instruction are available to help community members and Rescue Mission residents pass the TASC exam which qualifies them for a high school equivalency diploma. We also help with resume writing, job-readiness skills, interviewing skills, online employment searches, and professional clothing for interviews.
At The Learning Center we use different methods of instruction that are individually chosen for each student. We work closely with the BOCES ACCESS site on Second Street in Utica so that students can have the benefit of both more individual instruction in The Learning Center and classroom instruction at the ACCESS site where they will eventually take the TASC exam. We offer a safe place where men and women can work on academic and vocational skills, and set healthy life goals while working to remove barriers to employment. Each student is initially assessed for academic aptitudes and career interests. Our staff then crafts an individualized plan of study to help the student progress toward personal goals. The staff have provided academic and job skills training to 375 men and women. This represents 1,966 visits for a total of 3,174 hours of service to men and women seeking help with education needs as well as job readiness. Since its inception in December 1998, nearly 1,000 students have participated in the program, and more than 2,500 certificates have been awarded.
Learning opportunities include:
- Tutoring in math, reading, writing, social studies and science leading to a High School Equivalency diploma
- Computer literacy training
- Keyboard training
- Financial Literacy training
- Life skills training
- Web-based housing searches
- Web-based job searches
- Bible study courses
- Resume preparation assistance
- Interview preparation including securing appropriate clothing.
Special Request
Men who are in addiction recovery often observe that they just can’t think the way they used to. Everything we put into our bodies, and consequently our blood stream, has the potential to change the physical characteristics of our brain so this phenomenon is to be expected. Over the past 10 years several researchers have reported significant increases in cognitive processing speed after participants in controlled experiments played video games that require substantial use of peripheral vision to accomplish a goal. This work has only involved typical college students and David Battin, Ph.D. would like to test the hypothesis that the same experimental design would improve the cognitive processing speed in men recovering from addiction. If the results are positive the time necessary for a man in recovery to return to full functionality and potentially gainful employment would be reduced. That being said, we are requesting used xBox 360s to test the hypothesis. If you would like to donate one, please contact David Battin at david.battin@uticamission.org.
The Learning Center is open to the community Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
For more information you can download the Learning Center Student brochure, the Learning Center Volunteer brochure, the Learning Center brochure or contact:
David B. Battin, Ph.D., Learning Center Coordinator
315-735-1645 ext. 2221
315-735-4626
Utica, NY 13501