The CAD*LAC Center Receives $250,000 Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Fund Community Learning Center in Wapato

WAPATO, Wash. -- The residents of Wapato, Toppenish and Zillah now have access to a Free high-tech learning center thanks to a $250,000 grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Community Access to Technology (CAT) program. The Northwest Learning and Achievement Group (NLA Group), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Wapato, has been awarded a grant from the foundation to establish the CAD*LAC Center (Centro de Aprendizaje & Desarrollo; Learning & Achievement Center) for these communities.

“NLA’s mission up until now was focused on helping middle and high school students get prepared for postsecondary opportunities,” said Mike Welton, executive director, NLA Group.

“This Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant allows us to expand our mission to serve different segments of the local population.  It’s a new venture for us, and we will be asking our clients and our colleagues in the Valley how best to structure this new effort.”

The Center will focus on four primary areas: pre-school learning, after-school enrichment, lifelong learning (including GED, ESL) and workforce development.    Learning will be facilitated using computer-software, Internet Web sites, and direct instruction from CAD*LAC staff and other community providers. A brief intake interview will be used to assess each new clients abilities and interests, and to develop a free education plan with goals, objectives and proposed timelines for each client. 

The Center will primarily help Native American and Hispanic residents learn to use computers and computer technology to improve their quality of life. Housed in a refurbished grain warehouse, the Center is equipped with 25 networked and Internet-connected computers loaded with high quality computer software and curricula.  The Center utilizes both staff and full-time volunteers with   additional support from high performing local high school students (Wapato GEAR UP Program Ambassadors), trained work/study tutors from Yakima Valley Community College and Heritage College, and trained volunteers from the community who will work with clients under Center staff supervision. 

The Center’s schedule will change throughout the day based on the clientele’s needs. Generally, mornings will focus on pre-school children and their parents; afternoon hours are available for middle and high school students. Evening hours will bring in families and other adults for workforce or education/training.  Staff will be on hand to provide specialized service to specific clients. The Center, located at 302 W. 2nd Street in Wapato, will operate from 8:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. six days a week, utilizing both full time and volunteer staff recruited from the area to provide client support during high volume periods.

Michael Zavala serves as director of CAD*LAC and Luis Diaz, a resident of Wapato for nearly 27 years, is assistant director.

“We’ll be trying new things at this Center to help local residents develop and pursue their own personal learning goals.  Both Luis and I have lived in the Valley for many years.  One of the things we look forward to is bringing technology to people who may never have felt comfortable with computers before,” said Zavala.  “We will be working very hard to make our Center a place where people want to come to learn, to help them excel in their current education plan or work toward a GED.  We’ll also help their children learn to read, or whatever their educational needs may be.  I believe we have needed a place like this in the Valley for a long time,” said Diaz.

The Northwest Learning and Achievement Group, a 501C(3) nonprofit agency, was established in 1999.  Its mission is to develop and manage local and regional youth programs that are innovative, efficiently managed, cost effective and result-oriented, with primary emphasis on assisting youth to achieve personal goals.  NLA manages programs throughout the Yakima Valley. 

On the Internet:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, www.gatesfoundation.org
NLA Group, www.nlagroup.com