National Events for Neighborhood Networks Week 2006

In addition to your local events, Neighborhood Networks is offering a national NN Week program to ensure that all centers have the opportunity to participate.

Monday, July 31
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT
Neighborhood Networks Week 2006 Opening Event
Eighth Annual Neighborhood Networks Cyber Explosion

This year, Neighborhood Networks Week will not start with a bang. It'll be an explosion. A Cyber Explosion, to be exact.

To help kick off Neighborhood Networks Week 2006, Interstate Realty Management Company (IRM) is sponsoring the Eighth Annual Neighborhood Networks Cyber Explosion at the Montgomery Townhouses Neighborhood Networks Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cyber Explosion will include the screening of a movie that showcases IRM's success with job readiness training, an award presentation to residents that have become Neighborhood Networks Employment Success Stories, and Bookworm Competitions for both youth and senior residents. Special guest speakers include Neighborhood Networks National Director Delores Pruden.

Interstate Realty Management Company currently operates 36 Neighborhood Networks centers that are staffed by more than 100 social service coordinators and 33 computer center instructors. Since 1996, IRM has assisted more than 1,000 residents in becoming employed. At the 10th Anniversary Neighborhood Networks National Conference, IRM received the Champion for Change Award. The award recognizes a multifamily property owner or manager who has demonstrated a commitment to the Neighborhood Networks Initiative by providing resources and support for a sustained period of time.

Wednesday, August 2
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. EDT
Neighborhood Networks Week 2006 Consortia Event
Internet Safety Education for Neighborhood Networks Consortia

Neighborhood Networks centers strive to deliver technology access to America's communities. And, while access offers opportunities, it also presents some challenges, particularly when it comes to our younger-and most vulnerable-residents.

The results of a recent survey conducted by i-SAFE America, Inc., a worldwide leader in Internet safety education, revealed that:

	58% of middle and high school students admitted to using the Internet unsafely, inappropriately, or illegally.
	29% said they had chatted or used instant messages with an online stranger.
	19% stated that they met someone face-to-face who they first met online.

i-SAFE is dedicated to lowering these troubling statistics, and has invited Neighborhood Networks consortia to join them in refusing to allow cyber predators to deprive youth of all of the opportunities that the Internet has to offer.

On Wednesday, August 2, at 2 p.m. EDT, staff members from i-SAFE will conduct Internet safety training through their Virtual Online Training Academy. Neighborhood Networks consortia members have been invited to participate in i-SAFE's i-Learn training module that teaches techniques aimed at protecting youth from cyber predators. The interactive online training will also allow consortia participants to ask questions, hear others' questions, and receive real-time answers to these questions.

Together, i-SAFE and Neighborhood Networks consortia are seeking to make the Internet a safer place for center youth.

Friday, August 4
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. EDT
Neighborhood Networks Week 2006 Closing Event
Celebrating Healthy Families Fair

The close of Neighborhood Networks Week 2006 will be full of H.O.P.E.

The Glenarden Apartments H.O.P.E. and Resource Center in Glenarden, Maryland, will help bring to an end another successful Neighborhood Networks Week by hosting the Celebrating Healthy Families Fair. Neighborhood Networks National Director Delores Pruden will join Center Director Essie Willis in recognizing the center's summer program, youth leaders, and partnering organizations.

The Celebrating Healthy Families Fair will begin with an awards ceremony recognizing youth leaders. The ceremony will be followed by a community health fair with plenty of food, fun, and door prizes for kids of all ages. Center partners, such as Heart to Hand, Inc. and the Prince George's County Public Schools Head Start Program, will host booths at the fair.

The Glenarden Apartments H.O.P.E. and Resource Center is currently featured on the Neighborhood Networks Web site due to the success of their comprehensive arts program, which recently contributed to an exhibit at the prestigious Capital Children's Museum in Washington, D.C.