From Gang Bangers to Web Developers?

evenprime asks: "The Economist is running an article about a program that takes gang members in Milwaukee, sends them through rehab, and teaches them web development so that they can have a decent paying job. I think this type of program - one that gives people the ability to help themselves - is a great idea, and it is something that many of us could help with. Do slashdot readers know of any similar programs in other places? If so, what type of qualifications do you think they would require before allowing someone to help teach web design?" Such programs are just too damned cool. Are there any others like it?

Comments

They should be pretty good at it.

[scott1853]

They're already used to working with tags :)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Considering the current state of tech companies...

[x mani x]

I think a lot of ex-web developers will be running to Compton, begging the gang-bangers to teach them how to pimp and push crack.

why not?

[dboyles]

After all, it worked for accountants.

remember that guy in Office Space?

[SethJohnson]

In Office Space, they had a guy (Michael Bolton) who was a computer programmer and always talked street and listened to gansta rap. He had a sort of pent-up hard-ass attitude, too. Like when they took that printer out into the field and kicked its ass, you could just see how he was applying experience gained through several stomp-downs he had issued in the tough city streets. Maybe he had graduated from a similar program?

Michael Bolton: We're not going to some white collar resort prison. No, no, no! We're going to federal POUND ME IN THE ASS prison!