Working off a $100,000 grant from the New York State Department of Economic Development, the New Cassel Technical Learning Center recently graduated its second class in a pilot study directed at enhancing the technological capability of the area's youth, while putting 45 new computers into the New Cassel community.

At the study's completion, 45 students in the 18 to 25 age range will have participated in a 10-week training program, culminating in the students' building their own computers, which are theirs to keep. Additional support is provided to the students in the form of behavior modification classes, resume workshops, help with job placement, and in the words of Program Manager Andrew Cooper, "a vision for world-wide work." So far, over 50 percent of the graduating classes have been placed in employment situations.

"My concern was that the programs that had been coming into the area for the past 20 years did nothing really but recycle poverty," explained Dr. Rudolph Clark, chairman of the not-for-profit entity. "They really made no significant difference in the quality of life in the New Cassel community."

Two years ago, inspired by a similar study conducted by the Urban League of Long Island in the Roosevelt area, Dr. Clark met with New York State Senator Michael Balboni, Town of North Hempstead Councilmen Angelo Ferrara and James O'Connor, Legislator Roger Corbin, and a representative from the Empire State Development Corp. to discuss ways to counter the effects of blight in the New Cassel area. A proposal was drafted, the grant was awarded last July, and the New Cassel Technical Learning Center was born.

Original plans included a collaboration with James D. Posillico Development Enterprises, Inc. to construct a 30,000 sq. ft. building at the intersection of Brush Hollow Rd. and Prospect Ave., which would house the Learning Center on the top floor, and a "business incubator" on the lower level. Currently, the project is stalled in the planning stages. Meanwhile, Cooper and Dr. Clark are holding classes on the second floor of a computer repair shop in Valley Stream, but hoping that adequate space for training will eventually open up in the New Cassel/Westbury vicinity.

Dr. Clark emphasized that the program deliberately does not offer a stipend, like many others do. "We wanted to eliminate the 'program hustler,' that guy who goes from program to program collecting money."

The classes are small and culturally diverse. Muslim, Haitian, Caucasian and African American students are represented, and Dr. Clark said he has recently stepped up efforts to reach the Hispanic community, as well.

"You are not going to change lifestyles, attitudes and value systems overnight," Dr. Clark said. "But this is an opportunity to expose our youth to new technology. Those who are intelligent enough to grasp the significance of this in today's world have taken advantage of it."

One more class in being offered. Then the New Cassel Technical Learning Center will seek to renew its grant, to continue the study.

For information call 334-6067.