BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Each month, “WBZ Cares” highlights a worthy non-profit organization and tells the story of what that organization does for the community. This month WBZ is profiling the GreenLight Fund, a non-profit organization that helps transform the lives of children, youth and families in high-poverty urban areas by creating local infrastructure and a consistent annual process to identify critical needs, import innovative, entrepreneurial programs that can have a significant, measurable impact, and galvanize local support to help programs reach and sustain impact in the new city.
The GreenLight Fund, founded in Boston 15 years ago, invests in organizations serving the area’s low-income families. GreenLight first identifies local needs, then it imports innovative proven solutions from across the U.S. and funds their local launch. So far, it’s brought 12 nonprofits to the Greater Boston area. The latest is the Per Scolas. A program that provides completely free tech training and certification in under 12 weeks.
“There is no cost for the training, no cost for the books, and no cost for the certification exams,” stated Robin Nadeau.
That's Per Scolas Boston Managing Director Robin Nadeau. She says you don't need any prior training. They'll prepare you for a career in technology. You just need the passion and an interest.
“After less than four months they'll be in jobs that are starting on average at $21 an hour with upward mobility prospects very quickly,” said Nadeau.
The program helps adults of all ages advance their skills and earning power, better positioning them for Boston's fast-growing tech industry.
“They are ready to go in, learn that job, knock it out of the park. The opportunities are endless. There are thousands of jobs that are available in tech right now that are going unfilled and businesses are in need of good talent,” Nadeau stated.
Anietie Okuk graduated from a pilot program. He was part of the first inaugural class.
“Before Per Scolas I was an Uber driver. Prior to driving for Uber, I worked at Harvard as the Director of security. I needed a change. And I needed, I wanted a career,” said Okuk, a Per Scolas graduate.
He got a job in tech right away and launched his new career. He says Per Scolas has changed his life.
“So when they say we will get you to where you want to be, if you put in the effort, apply yourself, they will get you there. I am a living testimony of what Per Scolas says they will do. I started my journey in April and August I have a job,” Okuk concluded.
Per Scholas officially launches in Boston with classes offered in October.
For more information visit: www.perscholas.org/iheart
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Shari Small Reports