EMPACT is a 9-week internet technology course that helps its participants get a stable income. Many of them lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMPACT program coordinator Charlotte Brand says they are teaching people how to have a career. They’re not just changing their own lives, but the lives of generations to come.
Only 10 people can enroll in the program at a time because of Covid and to offer more one on one coaching.
Enrollees will get a $4,500 stipend during the 9-week course to help pay for things like childcare.
The first Cohort launched on October 21st of last year as a pilot project with 10 participants from the College Hill Courts Community. 8 graduated on December 6th, and the city now says 3 have obtained livable wage jobs.
A new program is starting with 11 participants from 5 districts around the city.
The City of Chattanooga says EMPACT is paid for with CARES-CSBG funding awarded to the city’s Office of Family Empowerment.
“We created this program as a hand-up to provide Google IT training certification and soft skills training through a partnership with the Skill Up program at Chattanooga State. We partnered with The Enterprise Center and their Tech Goes Home program to enable students to receive a free Chrome book while training to prevent a barrier to learning,’ said Carol Hunter, Director of Operations for Community Development for City of Chattanooga.