Virginia Center Becomes First in State and 12th in Nation to Achieve Model Center Classification

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Stafford, VA—In early 2005, Pamela Curtis was in her third year of working for Interstate Realty Management Company (IRM) as a social services coordinator at one of IRM's properties in New Jersey. While Curtis enjoyed her job, she was ready for a change. After discussing with her employer her desire to relocate, Curtis was offered and accepted the position of social services coordinator and computer facilitator at the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center in Virginia, another Neighborhood Networks center operated by IRM. Curtis knew that, even though the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center opened in 2002, it was in need of strong leadership that would encourage more residents to take advantage of the resources it offered.

"When I began at Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center in March 2005, the only resource the center provided was access to the center's 10 computers," described Curtis. "While providing access to computers is a fantastic resource, I have discovered that resident participation increases noticeably when you combine access to technology with a variety of programs or services. A Neighborhood Networks center is like a buffet. You cannot offer only one dish because people will get bored."

Curtis has spent nearly the past four years developing a full curriculum of programs and services that would complement the computer access provided by the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center. On October 23, 2008, her efforts paid off when the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center achieved Model Center Classification, a feat no other Virginia center has yet to achieve and only 11 other Neighborhood Networks centers in the country have accomplished.

Starting with Residents and Partners

Curtis' strategy to transform the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center involved combining its technological resources with a full curriculum of programs and services. Therefore, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents have access to the center's 10 computers during open computer lab. Curtis estimates that 20 to 30 people visit the center each week to use the computers. Curtis is available to provide computer assistance or help users create a resume or cover letter.

To build a full-service Neighborhood Networks center, Curtis drew upon the experience she acquired while working at her previous Neighborhood Networks center. Past experience taught her that she needed to enlist the help of residents and community partners to achieve her goals.

"I reached out to as many residents as I could to learn what they wanted," said Curtis. "Once I knew what they wanted, I then went out into the community to find partners who could help me deliver these programs and services. Because our center is located in a somewhat rural area, my goal was to bring as many programs and services to the center as possible so transportation would not be an issue. It is amazing how generous people and organizations are when you simply ask for their help."

Helping Adult Residents Further Their Education and Their Careers

One such organization that helped Curtis turn the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center into a Model center was Rappahannock Area Regional Adult Education (RARAE). With the support of RARAE, the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center is able to offer General Educational Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Currently, eight adults are enrolled in the GED class that meets every Monday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For the class, RARAE provides the instructors and all of the materials. As part of the partnership agreement, RARAE also pays the exam fee for Garrison Woods residents in exchange for center space.

Since Curtis launched the class three years ago, eight individuals have successfully completed the exam and received their GED. "Many students who enroll in our class say they want to earn their GED so they can continue their education at one of the local community colleges." Curtis goes on to report, "We had a set of twins who earned their GEDs together, and are currently enrolled at Germanna Community College where they are studying business administration. To further encourage residents to continue their education, IRM offers a scholarship program for residents who wish to further their education. Residents who apply and are accepted to college or a trade/professional school are eligible to receive a scholarship that covers tuition and books. The financial support offered by IRM is a motivating force for many residents."

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., RARAE once again provides an instructor and all of the course materials that enable the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center to offer an ESL class. Currently, 20 adults participate in the center's class that is offered free to residents and for $20 to non-residents. According to Curtis, many of the students in the center's ESL class are taking the class to improve their English so they can take the GED or obtain a better job.

To help residents obtain employment or advance in their career, Curtis created a Job Corner in the center. Each week, Curtis receives an e-mail list of local job openings from the Rappahannock Goodwill. She posts the list in the Job Corner, and assists residents with applying for the job(s) in which they are interested.

"About 10 to 12 residents come in each week and check out the job openings," said Curtis. "I only started posting the job openings in October [2008], and already one person has obtained a job from the postings so we are off to a promising start."

Programs that Empower During Afterschool Hours

While helping adult residents achieve greater self-sufficiency is one of Curtis' key goals, she also recognizes the importance of providing young residents with positive activities during critical afterschool hours. Each weekday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., 15 children between the ages of 7 and 13 participate in the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center's afterschool program. After having a snack that is provided by the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank (Kid's Café), the children work on completing their homework assignments. To ensure that all of the children get the homework support they need, Curtis enlisted the help of a high school student who volunteers at the center during the afterschool program. Curtis recently formed a partnership with the University of Mary Washington and hopes to gain access to college interns who can help with the afterschool program.

"Once the 'business' has been taken care of, we focus on other enrichment activities. The children can use the computers to practice their spelling or typing, or they can take part in an arts and crafts activity. In fact, it was during our afterschool program's arts and crafts activity that one of our young residents created the poster that won second place in the 6 to 12 year old age group in the Neighborhood Networks Week Poster Contest," reported Curtis.

Curtis considers the center's computer lab and Job Corner, GED and ESL classes, and afterschool program her core programs. However, she also has numerous other programs and services, including a 4-H club for youth ages 13 and older and Food For Life for senior residents ages 55 and older. The center also offers programs aimed to improve the mind, body, and spirit of residents, such as an exercise class, routine health screenings, and bible studies. Curtis is constantly looking to add to the lengthy list of programs and services offered at the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center.

Promoting the New and Improved Center

To promote the resources offered at the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center, Curtis writes and produces a monthly newsletter that is distributed to residents. However, to further increase awareness of the center in the community and with partners, Curtis created a Web site for the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center using the Neighborhood Networks at Work Portal.

"If our center is going to emphasize the importance of technology, it seemed only natural that we should have a presence on the Web," explained Curtis. "I used the Web site creation tool on the Neighborhood Networks page to create the center's site. I am not the most techno-savvy person, but I created a simple site in no time. The site looks professional, and I can update the information as much as I want. More centers really need to take advantage of this tool. Neighborhood Networks hosts the site so it saves a center from having to pay server hosting fees, and a center can create as many pages as they like. There is absolutely no reason why every center should not have a Web site with this tool."

While Curtis is pleased with the progress that she has made at the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center in the past four years, she recognizes that there is more work to be done and more progress to be made. Curtis concluded by saying, "While I am thrilled that we achieved Model Center Classification, I do not see this achievement as the end point. As a Model center, the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center serves as an example to other centers, and it is important that we demonstrate that we continuously implement innovative solutions and that we are not content to stop here."

For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in Virginia, contact:

Jerryl Bennett
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Richmond Multifamily Program Center
600 East Broad Street, Third Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 822-4842
Jerryl.E.Bennett@hud.gov

Darnell Lassiter
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Richmond Multifamily Program Center
600 East Broad Street, Third Floor
Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 822-4861

Rashida Mitchell
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Richmond Multifamily Program Center
600 East Broad Street, Third Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 822-4870

For more information about the Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center, contact:

Pamela Curtis
Garrison Woods Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center
207 Garrison Woods Drive
Stafford, VA 22556
(540) 657-5836