In downtown Grand Rapids, there stands a building dedicated to helping at risk teenagers in the Grand Rapids area. Their motto, “Expose people to an inspirational atmosphere, and they will be inspired.”

The West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, also known as WMCAT, was established in 2005 as an institution to assist children who are labeled as “troubled.” A similar institution in Pittsburgh, created by Bill Strickland, inspired the center in Grand Rapids. Working with the Grand Rapids public schools, WMCAT annually serves about 350 students in programs such as black and white photography, web design and digital photography, among other programs.

The spring of 2009 marks the first graduating class for WMCAT.

“About ninety percent of the students that were enrolled in 2005 are still enrolled today,” youth program director Dennis Grantz said.

“Also, ninety-five percent of the students enrolled in WMCAT are on their way to receiving their high school diploma,” he said.

Along with a youth art program, the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology also provides a program for adults. Those that are under employed or unemployed are given the opportunity for training pharmacy technicians and medical coders.

“Many adults will come in unemployed and on welfare, but they graduate from here and most of them receive a salary between $30,000 and $40,000 in the field,” WMCAT Intern and Aquinas student Maria Filice said.

Over eighty percent of the adults that graduate find employment in their field.

The most important aspect of WMCAT is the fact that the students don’t pay anything.

“We receive many donations and provide grants to the students so they can attend classes here. It is completely free,” executive director Luisa Schumacher said.

Currently the Grand Rapids center is the first duplicate and only duplicate of the Pittsburgh center. However, in the near future, more institutions like WMCAT will open across the nation and the world.

Schumacher said, “Centers are expected to open in Ireland and Jerusalem, all with the same purpose: to help teenagers stay on track in their lives.”