DigitalTechWorks Academy
Phyllis Wheatley’s DigitalTechWorksTM Academy works to close the digital skills training gap for people of color in and around North Minneapolis. Participants in these programs learn skills and earn certifications that prepare them for the jobs and career paths of tomorrow, creating pathways to sustainable, fulfilling careers that provide healthy incomes that allow families to find economic stability and success.
TECH TRAINING FOR ADULTS
The DigitalTechWorks™ Academy at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center provides free, self-paced training and testing so you can feel comfortable using technology for work or personal needs. Or, for those with more advanced skills, you can earn Microsoft certifications, giving you an edge on the competition for jobs technology.
Find out more! Fill out this interest form and our staff will be in touch to answer all your questions.
WHEATLEY ESPORTS CLUB
The Wheatley eSports program at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center leverages gaming, a must-have pastime for many young people, to create a learning opportunity and, potentially, a successful career path.
Participants in our eSports program gain a strong aptitude in STEM subjects and intuitive skills for working with with computers, networks, servers, and game design.
The competitive nature of gaming builds character and inspires self-improvement, sportsmanship, teamwork, tactical and strategic thinking, and other skills.
Players and teams practice two to four times per week, and competitions are typically held weekly during the eSports season. Matches can be held remotely, with players competing from their homes; locally, meeting at a school or other facility; or away, requiring travel to another location.
This program is geared toward youth ages 11-18 at the Minnesota Esports Club Arena, the new home of Wheatley eSports, thanks to their partnership and support.
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GIRLS WHO CODE™
Girls Who Code™ provides a safe and supportive environment of peers and role models where girls in grades 6-12 learn to see themselves as computer scientists. Girls learn the concepts of loops, variables, conditionals, and functions that form the basis of all programming languages. Participants
work in teams to complete a computer science impact project that solves a real-world problem in our community.
Girls Who Code Workshop this Spring
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MANCODETM MENTORING
The ManCode™ Mentoring program is a free, virtual (with in-person possibilities), 12-week program for 12- to 17-year-old Black/African American boys. ManCode™ Mentoring is a collaboration of PWCC, Microsoft and the 100 Black Men of Twin Cities supported by Comcast LiftZone and initially funded by Hennepin County. The program has three pillars:
1) life skills
2) professional development
3) career pathways, with an introduction to computer technology, including coding and gaming.
The 2022 ManCode cohort begins October 20, 21, and 22. For info, email info@phylliswheatley.org.
Community Tech Resources
Need Legal Advice?
Phyllis Wheatley is a Minnesota Legal Services Coalition Reach Justice Minnesota Legal Kiosk Project partner. Find the legal advice and information you need, right here in your neighborhood, at no cost.
The COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency have moved the legal system virtual, creating a digital divide that has disproportionately impacted the communities served by Minnesota Legal Aid. Access to the legal system and a chance at justice is only available to those with the means and resources to use technology.
To address this digital divide, the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition requested CARES Act funds to give communities access to civil justice by creating a statewide network of over 250 legal kiosks to be stationed in a variety of court, agency, non-profit, and other community locations.
These community-based legal kiosks help Minnesotans who face technology access and transportation barriers to have a healthy and safe experience interacting with civil legal aid experts, as well as the administrative and court systems in which their cases will be proceeding.
The kiosk serves as a community access point to civil legal justice. These kiosks connect users to civil legal information, self-help services, and statewide civil legal aid intake. Model A kiosks can be found in a variety of locations and are an excellent option for Legal Aid Programs collaborating on access points.
If you're in need of legal assistance, the kiosk is open during our regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5 at -
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
1301 10th Avenue N.
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Questions? Call us!
612.374.4342
Need internet access?
The pandemic has changed the lives of everyone in our community, state, and country. Many have been forced to leave jobs to take care of kids and to be at home to watch over young distance learners. And though there has been overwhelming hardship, the last two years have also thrown light on problems that already existed, but received little attention.
When access to computers and internet became essential due to distance learning and transitioning to at-home work, it quickly became clear that there was a gap that needed to be filled. The Affordable Connectivity Program was created to help ensure every school-aged kid was able to attend their classes virtually - and that assistance is still available to you!
If your family needs affordable internet access or a computer, check out the information below, and go to internetessentials.com to sign up. You may qualify for home internet at no cost!
Phyllis Wheatley is a Comcast Launch Pad site, where anyone can come and get access to our publicly available network.