A free technology centre is to be set up for underprivileged people after community leaders made a study of American initiatives for families.

Youth on the Move president Carlton Simmons said the move was one of a raft of measures which will be introduced to the Island following an "enlightening" tour of the East Coast under the Voluntary Visitor exchange programme.

Under the scheme, funded mainly by the State Department, Mr. Simmons and his team — including Social Rehabilitation Permanent Secretary Wayne Carey and other civil servants — spent ten days visiting experts in Washington, D.C., New York City, Syracuse and Ithaca, New York.

Mr. Simmons told a press conference yesterday that ideas which will be introduced to Bermuda included a free community technology centre; development and training of front-line workers to assist in the community; and a new fatherhood initiative.

"This trip has only strengthened our commitment to our work and highlighted the level of responsibility needed to do so," said Mr. Simmons.

"We have already started to incorporate many of the lessons learned it to our strategic plan. There are a number of initiatives that will be implemented as a direct result or this experience."

VolVis was launched three years ago by the US Consulate in an attempt to encourage learning and the sharing of ideas between Bermudian community workers and their counterparts in America.

The theme of this year's visit was the Year of the Family.

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler told the press conference he hoped more initiatives similar to the much-lauded Mirrors scheme could be developed. "It is the exposure of our local professionals to a variety of new ideas, approaches and training methods that will inspire them to rethink the way we conduct social programming now, and to have the courage to apply new methods as we strive to build a better community," said Mr. Butler.