DC - The National Society of Black Engineers has partnered with Lydia's House to establish technology centers for use in the Southeast DC community at no cost. The two organizations have married their respective programs, NSBE T.O.R.C.H. Program and Tech Zone, to offer a center where children youth ages 6 through 18 to can learn computer, technology and business skills. NSBE Executive Director, Michele Lezama, is excited about the venture and is hopeful that this is the first of many. This is not the first partnership of the T.O.R.C.H. Program, but it is the first with a community organization.
Program is a national, multi-year, digital divide initiative.
The goal is to increase the number of currently under-served communities who have access, technical assistance and skills, to receive value from digital technology. Lydia House's Tech Zone is a program that provides technology based entrepreneurial training, personal development and career options for youth aged 14 to 21. Biz Tech, technology training, youth leadership training and principles of economics. Program objectives include to provide students with access to technology and business incubator support, to reduce youth violence and to increase employability of students. Rev. Eugene Sheppard, who co-founded Lydia's House with his wife, Rev. Patrice Sheppard, believes that such partnerships are the answer to many of the problems plaguing many communities.