Mentoring at Risk Youths in Racine, Wisconsin: Counseling, tutoring, job training, and apprenticeship programs

OIC Student

About OIC Racine
Opportunities Industrialization Center of Racine County is an independent social service agency committed to helping poor and disadvantaged individuals help themselves.

OIC of Racine County is an affiliate of a national network of OIC centers, each with their own special focus. In Racine, we emphasize working with young people, offering a wide variety of programs to help youth stay in school and learn skills that will help them find good jobs in the private sector.

Opportunities Industrialization Center of Racine County,Inc., is part of a large network of more than 132 OIC centers around the world. The success of the OIC programs is shown in the fact that 85% of the graduates of OIC have been able to get on their feet economically and become taxpayers - not tax burdens.

In keeping with the original organization concept, the OIC of Racine County Executive Board provides the direction for training individuals who are interested in "helping themselves" by utilizing OIC's comprehensive educational and manpower delivery system.

Philosophy
Underlying this mission is the OIC philosophy that growth and development will be enhanced through everyday practice of essential beliefs and purposes:
Every person has dignity, and this should not be violated; OIC screens people in, not out; Classes are open entry / open exit; Instruction is trainee-centered and individualized; Training goals are job-oriented.

The philosophy of "self-help" has been demonstrated by OIC as the most effective way to develop and nurture the disadvantaged,unemployed, and at-risk population to become educated, motivated, self-sufficient working people. OIC of Racine County has built strong relationships, established partnerships with other public agencies and foundations who recognize the needs and benefits of whole-hearted support to the economically disadvantaged members of our community.

The OIC staff in Racine are devoted to helping people through individualized, computerized learning programs in which the learner works at his/her own pace. Instructional strategies for each client are based on initial assessment and evaluation of client strengths and weaknesses.Each client is assisted to put it all together by giving them support services,helping them to go at their own pace and giving them caring instruction that OIC has proven worldwide to be effective.