MCC Opens Free Public Computer Centers

MCC has opened four new public computer centers (PCCs) and will open two more at the end of August. The PCCs, which will be free and open to the public, will give under-resourced residents access to computers for training to help them in the job market and in their personal lives.

“The PCCs will function as one-stop technology centers for launching new opportunities, new careers and personal enrichment, with a specific focus on the unemployed and underemployed populations,” said Rich Prather, PCC director.

The PCCs will be located on each of MCC’s five campuses and at the Pioneer location, a satellite extension of the Penn Valley campus.

The establishment of the PCCs is part of a state-wide Pathways to Broadband Access and Technology Education at Missouri’s Community Colleges project facilitated by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. Funding is provided by

New artwork fills the MCC-Longview Community Education office

Joining the Lotus Box kite already hanging in the office, six new pieces of art were installed Wednesday in the MCC-Longview Community Education office.

The pieces are beautiful reprints of photos taken from the 2011 and 2010 Flights of Fancy kite festivals including the massive Manta Ray kite (which is the size of a basketball court) and the three-story-tall purple and white windsock.



Since Community Ed. is the main office that plans and manages the annual kite festival it seemed natural to decorate the walls with photos from this fun event.

Stop by the Longview Community Education office to take a look at the new additions.

The photos were taken by MCC-Longview Public Relations Coordinator Mike Ekey, Community Education Coordinator Rich Ritter and  Flights of Fancy volunteer Brandon Schultz.

A HUGE thanks to the MCC Print Shop for helping with this project and creating the amazing prints for our office art addition.

Donations already coming in for Spofford Home

Throughout June MCC is collecting donations for Spofford Home, an organization that cares for kids who have no homes and kids who suffer from mental illness. The month has just begun, and donations are already trickling in. Thus far, we have collected several boxes of crayons and $50 in gift cards to help buy school uniforms. MCC-Blue River is the destination campus for back-to-school supplies for these children.

Here’s what the kids at Spofford Home need:

Markers

Glue sticks and Elmer’s glue bottles

Composition journals

Back packs

Wal-mart gift cards ($5 and up, for school uniforms)

School uniforms (Navy/Khaki bottoms, White/Navy tops)

For further information on this MCC donation, see the more detailed May 19, 2011 MCC Insider article.

Please send donations to Amy Slater at MCC-Blue River, 20301 E 78 Highway, Independence, MO 64057

MCC-Longview Flights of Fancy kite festival

The MCC-Longview Flights of Fancy kite festival, presented by Farmers Insurance, is celebrating its 5th anniversary.

Once again, members of the Kansas City Kite Club will have some of the most amazing kites on display at this FREE event for all ages.

Professional kite flyers from around the Midwest will be flying their mega kites and stunt kites all day while the rest of the MCC-Longview campus will be open for public kite flying.

“There is no better way to welcome spring than to spend the day flying a kite on the grounds here at MCC-Longview,” festival manager Jill Ladas said.

As the festival continues to grow, we also continue to offer more FREE activities for kids, including: a bounce house, face painting, balloon artists and much more.

The festival will open at 10 a.m. on the MCC-Longview campus.

MCC-Longview Flights of Fancy Kite Festival presented by Farmers Insurance

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011

MCC-Longview Campus

500 SW Longview Road, Lee's Summit Mo.

For more information, directions or a look at last year's festival, check out the Flights of Fancy website at: http://www.mccflightsoffancy.org/

MCC-Maple Woods Spotlight: Motorcycle Safety Classes

To sign up for classes, register online here or contact the Community Education office at 816.604.3011.

MCC-Longview's "Afterlife: Where do we go from here?" class/discussion begins TONIGHT.

What happens after we die?

This March, MCC-Longview is proud to present "The Afterlife: Where Do We Go From Here?" A three-night discussion and roundtable program that will bring together leaders from various religious backgrounds and cultures to explore and talk about what the afterlife means to them.

Each week different area religious leaders will sit down with MCC-Longview counselor Jim McGraw as moderator and explore some of the most vexing aspects of what happens to us after we die.

"We are excited to offer this opportunity to our community, and we anticipate that we will have persons of all ages (16 and over) and religious backgrounds present," Community Outreach Manager Jill Ladas said.

The event is scheduled for three separate evenings - March 22, March 29 and April 5 - from 7 to 9 p.m. at MCC-Longview's Campus Center, 500 SW Longview Road, Lee‚s Summit MO.

The schedule of presenters is:
March 22 - Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, Mormon, Agnostic/Atheist
March 29 - Judaism, Protestant, Islam
April 5 - Roman Catholic, Unity, Buddhist

Each panel member will make a presentation followed by questions from the audience.

Fee: $29 for all three weeks.

To reserve a seat in the class, contact the MCC-Longview Community Education office at 816.604.2030. For more information about the class, contact Jill Ladas at 816.604.2213

MCC-Maple Woods sponsors "sleep-out" for One Homeless Night

Northland college students will get a sense of what it's like to be homeless when they participate in One Homeless Night, sponsored by MCC-Maple Woods and Synergy Services from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. March 25, 2011. This event is open to all MCC-Maple Woods students, faculty and staff. To become involved, email campus life and leadership coordinator Misty Chandler.

The event will include activities centered on raising awareness for youth homelessness. "The Pursuit of Happyness" will be shown on the Campus Center lawn at 9 p.m. and there will be guest speakers with personal experiences to share.

Hundreds of raise awareness for youth homelessness each year during the metro-wide "sleepouts," which helps raise funds for programs that address the national problem. Proceeds from the event will benefit Synergy Services, a local youth crisis program.

MCC-Maple Woods Motorcycle Safety Program now enrolling for spring classes

Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods is now enrolling for its 2008 motorcycle safety classes. The classes are available each weekend and on selected weekdays until the end of October and are taught by licensed Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructors. The three-day basic rider courses are $215 and registration may be completed online or over the phone. For more information, or to register, contact MCC-Maple Woods Community Education at (816) 604-3011 or visit http://www.mcckc.edu/mwcycle.

MCC-Maple Woods offers the courses in conjunction with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a national non-profit organization designed to improve motorcycle rider education. Maple Woods is one of only three locations in the Kansas City metro area to offer both basic and advanced rider courses. Students encompass a wide range of ages from 16 on up and includes both males and females, making it one of Maple Woods’ most diverse programs.

“MCC-Maple Woods has been offering motorcycle safety classes for more than 15 years,” said Claudia Mekins, who works in the community education department and also is a licensed instructor for the program. “As the first permanent training site in the state of Missouri, we have a long history of training individuals to operate their motorcycles safely and efficiently. With more and more motorcycles on the streets today, the skills learned in this program help save lives.”

Over the course of three days, basic riders learn the rules of the road, including proper attire and safety equipment, and practice basic riding and maneuvers on a bike supplied by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The advanced rider course, for those who own a motorcycle and have at least one year of experience, focuses on trickier moves like high-speed braking and turning. An advanced rider course will be scheduled into the season if there is enough interest to fill a class. To inquire about advanced motorcycle training, contact the community education office at (816) 604-3011.

Once students have successfully completed both a written and practical test, they receive certificates of completion. The certificates can be presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles as a waiver for the driving portion of the licensing test.

MCC-Maple Woods offers free computer courses to community

Whether you’re confused by Excel’s frustrating formulas, need to learn Access for a new job or just want to brush up on some basic skills, MCC-Maple Woods offers computer classes and lab access to the community. The courses require registration and attendance at an orientation session.
To register for courses or the orientation session, contact the MCC-Maple Woods community education office at (816) 604-3011. The orientation session and courses are free, and there is a one-time fee of $3 for an MCC-Maple Woods ID card.

MCC-Longview photo poll - tell us what you think

I know, I know. You thought the election season was over. But we need you to voice your opinion just ONE MORE TIME.


The MCC-Longview Community Education Department is looking to fill a display case in its main lobby with photos from the last couple of years from around campus.

We want YOU to tell us what photos you think need to be displayed.

Click on the link below and brows close to 400 photos from the past year and tell us which ones you like the most. Leave your reply here in the comments.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcclongview/

Celebrating 30 years of creating opportunities through language education

Surrounded by her family, Sylvia Roque smiled as she was presented with a certificate honoring her as the 50,000th student to complete the English as a Second Language program at the Don Bosco Centers.

Don Bosco recognized Roque at a reception last week that was part of a larger celebration of the organization’s 70th anniversary. For 30 of those years, Metropolitan Community College has collaborated with Don Bosco to deliver an ESL program on the city’s northeast side. It has become the metro’s largest and most successful program of its kind.

“We’re proud of the MCC instructors who have been so committed to teaching our community’s English language learners,” said MCC Chancellor Mark James, as he addressed the reception audience. “Language is the basis for a meaningful life; it’s what allows us to be successful with employment, relationships and other aspects of our lives. I am inspired by the difference that the ESL program has made and the opportunities it has created in our community.”

In addition to its ESL center, the Don Bosco Centers operates five other interrelated community centers where they deliver a wide variety of programs and services with a goal of empowering the people of Kansas City’s Northeast community. MCC-Penn Valley, which offers a wide variety of programs for English language learners, has been a collaborative partner for three decades.

Enhance your life, learn something new!

Looking for a new and exciting way to expand your knowledge base? MCC-Blue River’s Community Education modules are the just the solution!

Carol Brown, Blue River’s community education specialist, is thrilled to announce a host of new classes for the upcoming fall semester:

• How to Surf the Internet
  
• Art of Buying/Selling Your Home in Today’s Economy
  
• Yoga/Laughter Yoga
  
• Zumba, Zumba Gold
  
• ZumbAtomic (for kids)
  
• Personal Training 101
  
• Stop Dying Today - Learn to stay young for 100 years
  
• Black Regiments of the Civil War

Visit Blue River’s Community Education website for full course descriptions, fees and registration information. Contact Carol Brown at 816.604.6518 or email at carol.brown@mcckc.edu for more information.