Goodwill Venezuela opens second POETA Job Training and Technology Center

June 1, 2011

Venezuela POETAGoodwill Venezuela inaugurated their second POETA job training and technology center in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas last week.  This new POETA center is part of a network of centers throughout Latin America made possible by a partnership between The Foundation for the Americas, an organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), together with Microsoft Civil Association of Goodwill.  The centers feature a computer training space specially designed to meet the learning needs of people with disabilities.

María Liliana Mor, POETA Program Manager in Latin America commented on the opening of the center “change means movement and that is what the Foundation for the Americas is generating along with Microsoft and Goodwill Venezuela. Further adding that the center “provid[es] an opportunity for people with disabilities, to change their reality ….” adding that “social advances are measured not only by results but by their processes and we’ve tried to be innovative in this process, which I’m sure will revolutionize philanthropy in Latin America”

With the opening of this new POETA center, Goodwill Venezuela will be able to better serve the Venezuelan community and specifically those with disabilities.  They will continue to partner with private business and various levels of government to provide more training and options for young people with disabilities.  The center has Internet access, adaptive technology devices and facilities for free community access.  It is estimated that this new extension of POETA will contribute to the goal set for this year to benefit about 3,000 Venezuelans, including students, family and community members. “Thanks to the strengthening of the partnership between POETA and Goodwill, we can help more people change their lives with the power of work, through the development of skills and expertise in the technology area to grow and have a quality life, a dignified life, ” said Antoinette Baquero, Executive Director of the Civil Partnership Goodwill.