A group of Los Angeles residents - some of whom have never before clicked a mouse or peered into a monitor - have found a path leading to potential careers in information technology, thanks to an ambitious experiment in community empowerment that's paired UCLA Extension instructors and their computer training curriculum with a local nonprofit's aspirations for community development.

Residents are converging on a small shopping mall at La Brea and Rodeo Road where Operation Hope has set up Cyber Café, a community gathering place and learning center that was built, equipped and staffed in a record five weeks last fall. Its grand opening was attended by former Vice President Al Gore, now a visiting professor at UCLA.

Cyber student and cooking instructor Thomasine Howlettdrives 20 miles out of her way to attend computer classes, taught by Extension, in the hope of someday using these skills in her job.

"Classes like the ones UCLA offers help you overcome fear of computers," Howlett said. "You want to be able to cope with rapid change, go shopping on the Web. You have to change with the times; you don't want to be isolated."

Since the first café opened at La Brea, another in Watts/Willowbrook has been launched, and a third, in Maywood, is nearing completion.

"Working with Operation Hope is a natural partnership for Extension around a shared vision: to empower people with the learning capabilities to achieve their own professional and economic aspirations," said Extension Dean Robert Lapiner.

Dan Throgmorton, Extension Custom Programs manager, helped bring the cafés from concept to reality. "The Cyber Cafés are an opportunity to share UCLA's resources with people from other areas who, until now, have seen UCLA as a world apart," he said.

The LaBrea café features a learning-friendly environment, with 16 computer stations and a small snack bar serving coffee, juices and pastries. Under muted lighting at the back, oversized chairs provide a comfortable setting for community poetry readings and a place where students can unwind between classes in basic typing skills, Microsoft Word, Excel and the Internet.

"My goal for these students is computer literacy," said Art Schaak, who has taught computer skills for UCLA Extension for 12 years and developed the cafés curriculum.

The low fee, $95, which covers 36 hours of hands-on instruction over 12 weeks, is basically unheard of for a class of this kind, Schaak said. The cost is made possible because of a commitment Extension and Operation Hope have made to the program and generous underwriting by foundations and corporations.

When students have passed the four-course program, they receive a certificate of technical expertise from UCLA Extension and may choose electives in personal finance, advanced computer skills and résumé writing. Wells Fargo and Pacific Bell, which have helped underwrite the program, are offering job interviews as well as internships for those certified.

"This is about people reaching out for something that we from UCLA can put in their grasp," Schaak said. "Everyone in every community can use this. As long as they can read and write, we can help them to use a computer as a tool to gain self-respect, self-knowledge and self-belief."