The D.R.E.A.M. Lab is located in an at risk community. If not for the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, most of the teens and adults in the community would never be exposed to the state of the art technology in the lab. While America does not produce a high number of people to work in STEM related careers, the numbers are disproportionate for African Americans. We anticipate exposure to D.R.E.A.M. Lab technology will create future STEM experts, enable job seekers to strengthen their skill set, and support State and National Common Core goals, as they relate to technology. We know the lab will spur creativity and provide an outlet for projects that otherwise would not be possible because of the lack of technology.

Understanding the community may be unfamiliar with the technology and equipment in the D.R.E.A.M Lab, we collaborated with Fairmount Heights High School. The students in the IT program at the school, agreed to teach basic computer courses to community users. This is to help customers become comfortable with computers. When school is out, the students will work at the branch to assist with technology needs. Staffed with Technology Assistants, familiar with the technology and equipment, classes are offered on the use of the equipment. The Technology Assistants and students also assist customers as they come to use the equipment independently.

Customers of the D.R.E.A.M Lab will come to explore their own interests, become confident technology users, in an environment that fosters, imagination, creativity, innovation and visioning. We anticipate exposure to the D.R.E.A.M. lab will open doors never realized by people in this community. The D.R.E.A.M. Lab will allow young people to begin to think differently about their career paths. As technology becomes critical for job seekers, users of the lab have a unique opportunity to develop technology skills in a free and non-intimidating environment. We have learned the old adage “build it and they will come” is not necessarily true. Grass-roots marketing and collaborating with other organizations has been the most effective in this community.