Lynn Tech enrichment program a big success

LYNN – The successful launch of an evening enrichment program at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute has the voke well on its way to becoming a true community school.”I couldn’t have asked for a better response,” said Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano. “A lot of people have showed up, and three or four of the classes are completely full.”Not only are the classes full, New Lynn Coalition Coordinator Carly McClain said, there is a waiting list for at least four courses.It has taken the New Lynn Coalition, along with help from more than 100 community members, more than a year to turn LVTI into a community school.School Committee member Charlie Gallo, who has also worked on the project and is taking several of the courses, said he is thrilled with the turnout.View a photo gallery.”I think we have about 150 people or so of all ages from all across the city taking part,” he said. “Which is really unbelievable, given that we did this so quick and given that it’s a pilot program.””This is a perfect example of the community working hard with public officials toward a common goal,” Capano said.The coalition is made up of a number of different organizations including the Labor Council, two local unions, United Healthcare Workers East and the IUE- CWA Local 201, Essex County Community Organization (ECCO), the Highland Coalition and the Lynn chapter of Massachusetts Senior Action Committee. School Committee members John Ford, Maria Carrasco and Gallo, Superintendent of School Catherine Latham, School Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino and LVIT Principal Diane Paradis have also been advocates of the program.McClain said classes in conversational Spanish, parent/child swim, basic computers, and volleyball are filled and have a waiting list already for next semester.”I would have never thought swimming with your kid or volleyball would be full,” Capano said with a laugh. “What do I know?”McClain said she wasn’t surprised by the popularity of the swimming class, but she was taken aback by the volleyball.”I thought no one would sign up for it,” she said. “We have women in hijabs playing next to Cambodian men playing next to a group of older women from GE. It’s great.”Gallo is also taking volleyball and, he said, loving it. He and Capano and School Committee member Rick Starbard are also taking conversational Spanish. He said all of the classes have brought a “great energy” to the school.There are classes such as parenting and basic auto repair that have not panned out but others, including conversational English, financial literacy and citizenship that are doing well.Capano said if he had his way the program would have included English as a second language and a GED program and vocational training.””That’s all I would have had ? it’s a good thing it wasn’t just left up to me,” he said.He would, however, like to see the program eventually include more training and a GED component. McClain said there is a chance an outside organization like Operation Bootstrap or Catholic Charities will come in and offer a GED program.”We’re halfway to where I want to be, but I’m only one person,” Capano added. “The collective will decide what’s best.”The current semester ends in mid-December and McClain is already thinking about planning a party to celebrate the inaugural program around Thanksgiving.”Then the (coalition) will meet and decide what went well and what went bad and what can be improved on and we’ll plan the next semester,” Capano said.Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].