The mission of The Ladder Alliance is to provide women victims of domestic violence or low income women with the tools to lead self-reliant, independent and successful lives.

The Ladder Alliance teaches marketable job skills to help our clients become slef-reliant and independent.

The computer skills program teaches our clients how to use a computer, a skill required for most jobs in today's technological work place. The skills they learn are how to type, the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel, how to use the Internet, and email.

The computer skills curriculum is broken into modules with the following lengths for each module: typing - 6 weeks, Internet/email and Word - 12 weeks and Excel - 8 weeks. Students receive a certificate of completion after each module.

However, because we want the students to complete all of the modules, we have a Top of the Ladder award that can be earned by completing the course along with a couple of other requirements. These requirements are a typing speed of 35 words per minute and a score of 80 or better on both their Word and Excel tests. If they meet these criteria they will receive a refurbished computer at graduation.

While teaching skills, we seek to rebuild student's self-esteem and self-confidence through our "Best I Can Be" program. We start each class with a motivational segment and help students transition from an attitude of "I can't" to an attitude of "I know I can!"

In order to assist students with barriers to attendance, we provide childcare and dinner for all students and their children at no cost during the evening classes.

For more information on how you can join The Ladder Alliance in providing women victims of domestic violence or low-income women, call our office at 817.834.2100.

http://www.ladderalliance.org