The Queens Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) has been in existence since 1991 and is located in the Jamaica business district. The goal of the Queens (EOC) is to produce lifelong learners who are self-directed, empowered, and committed to excellence. Students and residents of the surrounding communities are provided a range of services designed to develop their academic, vocational and life skills necessary to become self-sufficient individuals. Program and services are structured to adopt to the needs of the community , and to serve as a readily accessible first step toward the attainment of long-term education/and or vocational goals. The QEOC is committed to forging supportive service linkages with the othercommunity organizations. The Center is funded through an annual base appropriation to the network of statewide EOC’s through the Governor’s Executive Budget. All programs are tuition-free for eligible participants. Current programs include: Basic Education, English As a Second Language, High School Equivalency (HSE) Preparation, HSE Assessment Project (HSEAP), Pathways to College, Computerized Medical Billing Specialist, Microsoft Certification Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician, Security Guard Training, Home Health Aide, Job Readiness & Employment Counseling . The Center is also certified by the State Education Department as a HSE testing site. Annually, the Center enrolls more than 1,000 students and provides a host of services including referrals, post-employment and pre-college follow-up to hundreds more.