Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken will conduct a ribbon-cutting, followed by an open house tour.

        The center is sponsored by Cincinnati Union Bethel and Liberty Learning Center.

        Fifth Third Bank will present the center with a $50,000 check to be used for technology scholarships.

        The center started the free classes in July with 29 students, said Gina Breyfogle, director of technology training for Cincinnati Union Bethel.

        “We now have 25 students and don't plan to drop anyone else,” Mrs. Breyfogle said. “We have two classes that will take 160 hours of training, two days a week, four hours a day.”

        She said students were referred from surrounding social service agencies in Over-the-Rhine and adjacent communities. The students are 17 or older.

        “This is a program I have worked for a year and eight months,” she said. “We were able to partner with agencies such as Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency, which gave us $40,000, and Fifth Third Bank. We were also able to get in-kind services and matching funds for the program, which cost $120,000.”

        She said Cincinnati State Technical & Community College supplied the center with an instructor, Larry Tomczak, a nuclear scientist.

        “If students finish the course and pass the test, they will be given college credit by Cincinnati State,” Mrs. Breyfogle said.

        She said the students are getting basic computer training, plus life skills and job readiness training.

        “We have representatives from businesses to come in and talk to them about technical skills. They are also building a computer as part of the training, which they will be able to keep after they graduate,” Mrs. Breyfogle said.

        She said this course is offered as a pilot program to help develop technical training. Students who finish the course are asked to serve on an advisory board to help further develop the course.

        If you can find that all-around kid in your neighborhood — the one who accomplishes great things, has a great attitude and is committed — you can help him or her get a $25,000 scholarship by making a nomination for a VTech XLence award, sponsored by VTech Electronics of North America LLC.

        The award recognizes kids 5 to 11 year olds who do exemplary jobs in and out of school.

        “The XLence awards are a great way to acknowledge those special individuals who inspire us all with their leadership and sense of purpose,” said Jeff Rogers, vice president of marketing for VTech Electronics.

        Application forms and instructions are at Toys 'R' Us stores or on www.toysrusinc.com through Nov. 15.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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