Philadelphia Center Focuses on Careers and Computers

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Philadelphia, PA—When Christina Mathis' position as a lead teacher at a local daycare center was eliminated, she decided the time was right to take her career in a different direction. To do this, Mathis headed straight to the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center.

Offering a variety of classes and employment services, the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center enabled Mathis to brush up on her existing computer skills and acquire new ones that would allow her to be more competitive in today's technology-driven job market. After completing her training at the center, Mathis quickly landed a job at a local school. However, instead of being in front of the classroom, Mathis' new career has her behind a desk and involved in the administrative tasks required to operate a school.

While inspiring, Mathis' story is not unique to the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center. Every day, residents and community members visit the center to learn new skills and take advantage of its career counseling and advancement resources.

Focusing Adult Learning on Computers and Careers

Equipped with nine computer user stations and one instructor station, the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center is open five days a week and offers programs and services for residents of all ages. To support the center's programs, Gloria Finney, computer facilitator and social services coordinator, relies on the help of Resident Service Director Janice Pompey and a team of about a dozen volunteers. Two of the more popular programs and services offered at the center are the adult computer class and the career advancement resources.

"I recently just finished teaching a 12-week computer skills class. Nine people participated in the class that met from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The class taught the students how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as how to navigate the Internet and use e-mail. All of the students had to have an e-mail address and were required to complete a final project for the class, which was a PowerPoint presentation. Each student received a certificate of completion, which was awarded during the graduation ceremony we held. Many of the students are now looking for jobs that use the skills they learned in the class. In fact, Christina Mathis was a student in this class," explained Finney.

To help center users find jobs or further their careers, Finney has created a variety of career assistance programs and services. In addition to helping users develop a resume, post their resumes online, and search for jobs, the center uses Career Vision, an online career planning resource that enables individuals to evaluate their own natural abilities and identify careers that enable them to use these abilities. The theory behind Career Vision is that if an individual is employed doing something for which they have a natural talent, they are more likely to experience greater success and a higher level of job satisfaction.

The Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center is also an official partner with Pennsylvania's CareerLink program. A one-stop resource for businesses and job seekers alike, CareerLink connects businesses with qualified people, and people with training, jobs, and careers.

"People go to CareerLink to find a job. If they need to enhance their skills, they get referred to a center, such as the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center, that offers the training that will make them better qualified for more jobs. As an access point for CareerLink, we provide the training, as well as help people create a resume, conduct online job searches, and apply for jobs," described Finney.

Helping Youth Earn Cash and Academic Success

Finney has also implemented programs that are helping young center users achieve future success. Because adult center users are not the only ones in search of employment, Finney has created a Teen Job Search to help younger center users find and secure a job. "Many of the teen center users are interested in getting a job. They may be looking for a part-time job for extra money or a summer job. Through Teen Job Search, they can visit the center for help with creating a professional resume. We then help them post their resume online in forums such as Monster.com, conduct online job searches, and apply for jobs. We've had a few teens already get jobs. One young lady posted her job on Monster.com and got a job with a local company," reported Finney.

For center users who are too young to work, Finney focuses her efforts on helping them achieve greater academic success. To do this, the center offers an afterschool program for children ages 7 to 14. Each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., approximately 10 children participate in this program that offers homework assistance and computer skills activities. During the summer, the center offers a youth enrichment program from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program includes a variety of activities, including field trips, and provides lunch for the children.

Bringing Seniors Together to Learn

After launching programs that helped adult and youth center users obtain professional and academic success, Finney wanted to implement a program for senior center users. Acting on an idea posed by Pompey, Finney organized a senior computer class. For the class, Finney invited center seniors and seniors from three of the seven local nursing homes that are owned and operated by New Courtland Elder Services, a division of the same management company (Courtland Management Services) that operates the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center.

A total of nine seniors participated in the class that Finney taught every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for four weeks. Finney worked with the nursing homes to coordinate transportation for the offsite students. During the class, the seniors learned how to conduct Internet searches, use e-mail, and send photos via e-mail.

"The senior computer class was a big hit. In fact, we're planning the next class now. It was great to see the seniors go from being hesitant to use the computer to really getting into it. And while the senior residents will not be using their new computer skills to get jobs, the result of the class was the same for the seniors as it is for adults who learn computer skills. Through the computer, no matter what age you are, doors are opened," concluded Finney.

For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in Pennsylvania and Delaware, contact:

Susan Noce
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Philadelphia Regional Office
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390
(215) 861-7583

For more information about the Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center, contact:

Gloria Finney
Center Post Village Apartments Neighborhood Networks Computer Training Center
Computer Facilitator and Social Services Coordinator
55 North 40th Street, Suite E15
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-4910