FAQ

1 - What is Universal Learning Centre (ULC)?

ULC is a non-politacally associated, non-governmental, not-for-profit 501c3 organization based in the United States. ULC consists of a Board of Directors who governs the actions of the organization, and a staff who run the daily operations. The organization was incorporated in the State of Arizona on June 2005.

To read the mission of ULC, please refer to the Mission & Vision page.

2 - When and why did Jacques Jean create ULC?

In 1988, at 19 years old, founder and President, Jacques M. Jean walked into a library for the very first time in his life. He knew immediately that a library was something desperately needed in his home country, Haiti. It became apparent to him that education is not simply teachers teaching students. Education is access to information, and Haitian students do not have that access. Jacques firmly believes in the adage that if you teach a person how to fish, he will feed himself for the rest of his life. For countries like Haiti, resource centers are integral to teaching people not only how to feed themselves, but to flourish.

For more than a decade, Jacques has planned to make his dream a reality: to establish an organization that would build a resource center in Haiti. During that decade, he realized that if he could build a team of individuals capable of establishing a resource center in Haiti, he could bring resource centers to other disadvantaged countries in the same way.

3 - Does ULC have any political affiliations?

No. ULC is a non-politacally associated, non-governmental, not-for-profit 501c3 organization. ULC’s Board of Directors welcomes donations from governments that wish to improve education in the countries served by ULC.

4 - What makes ULC unique?

ULC uses a unique approach to achieve its mission, starting with the belief that education is the foundation of communities, especially those in need. With that belief always in the forefront, ULC takes a Six Sigma approach with effective planning and use of resources. ULC first researches a community, with their collaboration, to pinpoint needs and measure the potential impact of proposed programs. We analyze the root cause of the problems in the community to understand from every angle how the problems affect the community. ULC then initiates a multi-faceted fundraising campaign and uses the funds to make the necessary changes and improve the community. Lastly, ULC measures its success and finally implements processes to control and maintain the integrity of the program.

5 - Does ULC give scholarships of any kind?

Not currently but in the future, ULC will act as liaison between students and sources of scholarships to faciliate access to funds for higher education.

6 - Does ULC have any employment/intern opportunities?

ULC is currently accepting applications for consulting librarians. Please Contact Us to request an application. In the future, ULC will also offer a wide variety of internship opportunities. Check back frequently as we post positions that become available.

We always welcome volunteers. Click Here for more information.

7 - Who can I contact if I have further questions about the ULC projects?

We are happy to answer any questions you have about ULC. Please Contact Us for more information.

8 - What are the focus areas for 2008?

The Board of Directors is currently focusing on the infrastructure necessary for a large nonprofit organization as well as preparing for its first project, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We are currently defining the needs in Haiti and will be holding our first fundraising event in September. The Board is actively working to develop community involvement and generate relationships with like-minded organizations, and therefore is planning a networking and fact-finding trip to Haiti for early in the year 2009.

Follow along as we make giant steps this year by checking out our blog (coming soon).

9 - How can I contribute to this initiative?

If you are fortunate enough to be in the position to make a larger donation, please consider adopting a wing or area of our first project in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Imagine, the “Bob & Melissa Bates Computer Lab” hanging above the entrance to a state-of-the art technology center! For more info, please contact us at info@universallearningcentre.org or 602.904.5363.

For those who are not quite at that level but still looking for ways to help, consider hosting a fundraising event. We welcome friends to host fundraisers as we expand our circle. If you have an idea for a fundraiser at your church, school or other community organization, please contact us at info@universallearningcentre.org.

Some ideas for raising funds on your own for ULC are:

>> Host a penny drive at your local school. We’ll roll the pennies for you!
>> Request that your church or community organization host a ULC fundraising dinner. We’ll provide you step-by-step details on how to plan and will provide you with the keynote speaker for the event.
>> Talk to your employer about matching your donation dollar for dollar!
>> Share this website with a friend! Word of mouth is the best advertising and is free. Please help us increase our exposure by sending our link to your friends and family.
>> Your help is much appreciated and greatly needed. Select the "Make a Donation" button on the right of this page and make any donation you like via major credit card or your paypal account.

10. How can I become involved in an on-going basis?

There are many ways you might help ULC achieve its mission. First of all, please don’t forget to sign up and stay connected by filling out your name and email address in the “Keep Connected” box to the right. We will email periodic updates and newsletters, so please add us to your address book! Secondly, please Click Here for the many ways you can get involved in ULC. page. We look forward to your joining us in our mission!

11 - Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes. As a U.S. nonprofit organization, we have our IRS 501©(3) status. When you make a donation, we will provide you with our tax ID number and an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes.

12 - How can my company sponsor ULC?

Many corporations match donations to 501©(3) organizations. Ask your employer today if your company has such a program.

Companies may also sponsor a specific wing or area of any library resource centre that ULC has in the works. Your company may wish to have its name given to a section of ULC in Port-au-Prince, Haiti! Currently available are the computer lab, children & youth services wing, and several conference rooms.

Please Contact Us for more information.