July 17, 2002
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
News
Gardner Community Center opened the Computer Learning Center last week By Michelle C. Crowe After nearly two decades of service, San Jose recreation supervisor Tony Torres can finally see 'windows' at the Gardner Community Center, thanks to a new computer learning center unveiled July 10. "We are right on the line of the digital divide," said Torres of the center, located at 520 W. Virginia St., in northern Willow Glen. "Even though we've seen how Silicon Valley technology can change the world, it's been inaccessible and outside of the reality for these kids—until now." Thanks to a collaborative effort between San Jose's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and Microsoft Corp., the new computer learning center will have 10 new computers, desks and chairs. The center was made possible thanks to a $50,000 donation from Microsoft and more than $10,000 donated by the city's parks department and redevelopment agency. "Not only are these systems better than the one I have at home, they're better than the one I use at work," said an enthused Kevin Christman, who serves as the vice president of the Gardner Community Advisory Council. "I grew up in this neighborhood," said council president Norma Mendez. "We've been working really hard for the past two years on the redesign and master plan, and even though it's going well, I sometimes wonder, 'Could I please just get something done on it in my lifetime?' " Microsoft stepped in to provide the technology for the learning center. It took the giant software company about three months to financially commit to the project. The Gardner Computer Learning Center will host students for a self-paced summer program designed to expand their use of information technology, including the Internet, and many Microsoft software programs, and will create a more formalized curriculum for its fall after-school program. While all involved—from redevelopment staff to recreation officials to Microsoft executives—agree that everyone worked well together to facilitate the process, Gina Aning, community services supervisor for Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, was the original flashpoint for the project. When John Litten, program manager for Microsoft's youth and learning division, expressed to Aning Microsoft's interest in adding a community-based technology component to the computer labs they'd established at Del Mar High School, San Jose High Academy, Silver Creek High School and James Lick High School, she quickly arranged a tour of three community centers. Aning knows a bit about what works at community centers—she also coordinates the Swim & Gym Program, which brings families to the Gardner Community Center on various Friday and Saturday nights during the summer—and she knew that adding a technology feature would benefit the neighborhood. "I kept calling people and saying, 'Rush this through. Microsoft's made a commitment; we need to make it happen now,' " said Aning, acknowledging that the valley's economic changes probably helped keep everyone motivated to take advantage of the offer. "The city's always open to a good partnership. Many sites and departments had hiring budget freezes and budget constraints, but John and Microsoft's commitment made it much easier for everyone else to commit also." Now Aning, Torres and others are working toward bringing Adobe and other local technology companies on board with the project as well. "We call Gina 'Spark plug' because she gets things done at warp speed," says a grateful Torres. "Now we've hired two instructors, Jesse Mena and Jeri Ramos; three different groups of summer camp kids have already been rotating through and playing learning games such as Microsoft's Magic School Bus Animals; and parents, teachers, seniors and children are all excited and talking with me about it." "When John told me he'd decided on Gardner, he told me he wanted to be part of the center now, part of the transition plan (including computers in portables) and part of the new center in three years," Torres said, allaying the supervisor's fears that the already-planned March 2003 demolition and 18-month projection for new construction and landscaping might cause Microsoft to hit escape and choose another center. "The kids can't wait for the new facility to be built to benefit from the Computer Learning Center—they need the technology now," explained Litten. "Once these young people see this as a place to grow and get in the habit of coming here, it will benefit the entire neighborhood and community. Kids are more adaptable than we sometimes give them credit for—it's usually the adults who let things like this stop them." This particular community's seniors are adaptable also. When presented with plans for the new center, they noticed that one small room was set aside for the computer learning center and a larger one for other activities. The seniors quickly asked for the two to be switched, and that change has already been implemented into the new design "Tony and the people involved in this community really impressed me," Litten said, noting that Microsoft has committed about $8 million in software and cash for youth and learning programs throughout the valley and San Francisco. "When I first mentioned the possibility of computers here, he immediately began showing me how he could redesign the TV room to accommodate them—and that's what we did." Litten plans to return in August and meet with the youth and community members to check on progress and assess needs, including the possibility of adding more Spanish-English interpretive programs. "Whether it's giving them digital cameras for a day to go out in the community and gather local history from seniors or prepare PowerPoint presentations, we plan to keep the youth in this community engaged in technology," Litten says. This fall the center will offer residents ages 16 and over instructor-led technical job training courses designed to prepare participants for entry- and mid-level information technology jobs. In addition, the job-training program will teach basic job search skills such as preparing a resume, posting a resume online and using the Internet as a tool for employment searches. Funding for the center's full-time lab instructors, software, DSL lines, security upgrades, instructional supplies and materials and other needs is provided by the final phase of a Microsoft grant made last year to Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. The computer hardware and furniture to outfit the center was provided by the San Jose Redevelopment Agency. The Gardner Community Center is run by San Jose recreation officials and is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fall programs, including the job certification program and the structured program lessons for students, will begin Sept. 3. |
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