Lake Region—"It's been a great deal of help, and I've increased what I know by leaps and bounds!" This is what Detroit native, Robert Dixon, says about the computer class he is taking at the Detroit Better Living Center (BLC).

The computer class began Tuesday, Jan. 22, with six students, meeting twice a week in the evening. The second session of classes to be offered at the BLC, Dixon says the classes are meeting a real need. Earlier he enrolled in a web design class offered by a local non-profit organization, but quickly realized he didn't have the basic computer skills he needed. Walking by the BLC one day, Dixon wrote down the number from the sign promoting the basic computer class. He lives a couple blocks from the BLC and is familiar with the programs offered there. Dixon's wife and children have taken advantage of clothing giveaways and attended the Christmas party for kids.

Karen Moore, a member of the Metropolitan Church in Plymouth, Mich., teaches the computer class that has a waiting list for the next session. The curriculum of the program includes basic PC skills and an introduction to Microsoft Office and MS Word. "We have individuals enrolled in our program who have never turned on a computer or surfed the Internet. We are opening a whole new world to many in the community as they learn useful skills to use in the workforce," stated Moore.

In 2005, Moore founded the KenMat Foundation which sponsors the computer training class. Originally formed to support families who couldn't afford to send their kids to summer camp programs, KenMat has discovered other ways to engage families in meaningful community offerings and projects.

BLC director Ray Young is thrilled with the increasing array of programs and services that will be provided at the BLC to meet the needs of the surrounding community. "There are a lot of people in this community who need any help we can give. It doesn't take much, and they are very grateful for the basic things. I didn't know if anyone would be interested in computer classes, but we always have a list of people waiting to get in."

Debbie Young, communication correspondent, Lake Region Conference

To learn more about the KenMat Foundation, go to www.kenmatfoundation.com.