CHA Tech Community Learning Centers: Determined to Succeed

Information by State  Print version   Related Information Previous Success Stories:   Rock Island Housing Authority   Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino   Bedford Hope

Chester, PA—When the Chester Housing Authority (CHA) opened its first Neighborhood Networks center in 2009, community interest, involvement, and participation in center programs were disappointingly low. Even though the center delivered a variety of programs and access to technology, the residents of the 900 public housing units and 1,200 Section 8 households served by the CHA, as well as the local community, were not taking full advantage of the resources it offered.

The staff at the CHA determined that the low participation was due to the center's off-site location, as well as the lower-end computers the center used to deliver technology access. Despite the CHA's best efforts to overcome these barriers, the center was not achieving the results CHA staff had hoped. As a result, CHA staff decided to step up the timetable for developing Neighborhood Networks centers at three public housing sites.

The Transformation Begins

After much planning and a thorough review of lessons learned, the CHA determined that a new approach was needed to build centers that residents and the community would embrace. Feedback from surveys confirmed a preference for on-site centers along with up-to-date hardware, a comfortable space, one-to-one instruction if requested, transportation, and mentoring.

For the first phase of the transformation, the CHA focused on creating a new identity for its centers, one with a clear mission and vision that would benefit both the residents and the surrounding community. Thus, the CHA Tech Community Learning Centers, often called CHA Tech, were born. The new name also reflected the vision of CHA's Executive Director, Steven A. Fischer, who champions life-long learning.

To help turn the CHA Tech Community Learning Centers into a reality, the CHA partnered with nearby Swarthmore College, Widener University, Community Arts Center, and YAVI (a grassroots non-profit community organization). Together, the CHA and its partners set out to build computer labs at three CHA communities. The partners were also committed to providing residents in middle and high school with an opportunity to work with Swarthmore students on computer-related projects, help adult learners develop useful computer and job skills, and make technology accessible to residents and community members. Widener University provided evaluation services, as well as student interns. Community Arts Center provided art classes and scholarships, and YAVI provided at-risk youth mentoring and activities.

"We also work closely with the Collins Center for Public Policy in Miami, Florida," Rick Goldstein, the CHA's Neighborhood Networks coordinator, said. "The Collins Center served as the CHA's HOPE VI CSS [Community and Supportive Services] evaluator. CHA Tech staff and resident leaders assisted the Collins Center in its final survey project of CSS participants in 2009. Since the end of its service as CSS evaluator, the Collins Center has been a core CHA Tech partner, providing CHA Tech technical assistance in fundraising, program design, and program evaluation. Collins Center officials also serve on CHA Tech's Sustainability Committee."

New and Definitely Improved

In the fall of 2009, the CHA relocated its existing off-site Neighborhood Networks center to a facility at its Ruth L. Bennett Homes housing community. In 2010, the CHA opened two more centers, one at its Chatham Estates, which serves as CHA Tech's main site, and the other at William Penn Homes communities.

CHA Tech maintains a total inventory of 45 new computers with Windows 7 and Pentium processors and offers a variety of academic enrichment, workforce development, computer skills, lifelong-learning, and wellness programs.

"In addition to offering access to quality computer technology, all three Neighborhood Networks sites are equipped with 60-inch LCD TV screens with surround sound," Goldstein explained. "These systems, which include a dedicated instructor terminal linked to the main screen, enables us to more effectively conduct group learning sessions with great screen and sound quality. It really is a great resource that helps us create a state-of-the-art classroom."

The large screen system is also used by the center to show educational movies and videos and host guest instructors using Skype™. "For example, we partner with Kay Atman of Curriculum Innovators in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to offer many levels of motivation and goal-setting seminars," Goldstein said. "Kay, who is a retired professor and nationally recognized authority in this field, regularly Skypes in for seminars day or evening from her office that is located 350 miles away. With this system and the new technology tools available, like Skype, classes can be hosted by instructors located all over the world. We also use this technology for webinars, like those offered via HUD's [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] Neighborhood Networks health pilot partnership with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine."

A Sample of Some Local Programming

CHA Tech serves a variety of audiences, and Goldstein is mindful to offer activities that meet the needs of the diverse population the centers serve. Some programs offered:

	Digital Connectors. Through its partnership with One Economy, the labs offered two sessions of a Digital Connectors program. The program identifies talented young people, immerses them in technology training, and helps them build their leadership and workplace skills to enter the 21st century economy. "We were able to offer this program because we were a sub-grantee on the application for a multi-million-dollar BTOP [Broadband Technology Opportunities Program] grant awarded to One Economy," Goldstein explained. "The two 100-hour cohorts offered at the centers covered the first 10 modules of Cisco's CompTIA A+ certification, which provides an overview of computer fundamentals and an introduction to advanced concepts. Twenty-nine participants completed the majority of the course requirements, with 17 earning the incentives and rewards package for completing the rigorous requirements for graduation." Graduates are eligible to complete the final six modules of the A+ certification on their own. Because Cisco is a supporter of One Economy, any graduate can complete the modules and obtain certification for free. The CHA Tech staff is assisting graduates with the A+ certification process. "Program participants and graduates also volunteer at the center as part of the Digital Connectors program" Goldstein said. "This component of the program nicely complements the structural design of CHA Neighborhood Networks as a community cooperative. We encourage all individuals who received training at the centers to turn around and help train others via membership in the CHA Tech partnership. The CHA Tech partnership is a regional training hub for the hOurWorld (more information below) national network of service exchanges. It is a way for us to strengthen our sustainability, while offering real opportunities that improve employability, build community, and provide a supportive environment for emerging resident leaders."
	hOurWorld Time Exchange. In August, CHA Tech launched its housing authority-based community time exchange in the Chatham Estates Neighborhood Networks center. In a time exchange, a participant earns time credits for the services he/she performs for a CHA Tech program or another community member, such as teaching a computer class or taking a senior citizen to the supermarket. This credit can then be "spent" by the original member by receiving a service from CHA Tech or another time exchange participant. Credits can be used for such things as an hour of babysitting. In this way, service hours become a currency, and both informal social support and traditional "volunteering" are given the value and reward they are due. This time currency will serve as the "glue" holding together CHA Tech initiatives, linking program participation with community building and leadership opportunities for Housing Authority residents. For the time exchange program, CHA Tech has partnered with hOurWorld, a national network of time exchanges that provides an online platform for tracking time credits in local exchanges. In August, hOurWorld ran a three-day workshop for CHA Tech participants, providing intensive training on the time exchange concept and preparing them to organize and lead their exchange. In an exciting development, CHA Tech will serve as the regional training hub for the hOurWorld network, providing training and technical support for other exchanges or start-ups in the region. This unique connection will provide CHA residents with opportunities to teach and lead in the national time exchange movement. The hOurWorld hub will also allow CHA Tech to leverage resources regionally at minimal cost, attracting professionals and consultants to provide services within the framework of the time exchange.
	Workforce and Entrepreneur Development Classes. CHA Tech also teamed with the Delaware County Community College (DCCC) and PA CareerLink to provide numerous workforce development classes. PA CareerLink is Pennsylvania's one-stop service for job seekers. PA CareerLink provides resources, such as job listings, unemployment information, social services, and training resources. "For the workforce development classes, DCCC provides instructors. All of the logistics for the classes are coordinated through PA CareerLink," Goldstein explained. "CHA Tech provides the computer lab and the support staff for the instructor. Everyone brings something to the table." CHA Tech also offers one-to-one mentoring in job readiness and supports entrepreneurship through classes, mentoring, and business development assistance.
	Cyber School Program. "Sometimes, a traditional school is not a good fit for a student," Goldstein said, "and you need to identify an alternative learning environment that is better suited for that child." The solution discovered by CHA Tech and implemented in 2010 was the establishment of a learning center at CHA Tech's Chatham Estates site to provide supports for local at-risk students. CHA Tech connected to Agora Cyber Charter School, a full-time, tuition-free, online public school for Pennsylvania students in grades K through 12. To support CHA students enrolled in Agora, the CHA Tech learning center operates from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays during the school year. Some students of the online school also participate in the center's afterschool program. Currently, 12 school-aged CHA residents are enrolled in the school. The students attend class each weekday at the computer lab. Class sessions are facilitated by staff members from YAVI, a nonprofit community organization and a key CHA Tech partner. YAVI staff, all of whom are volunteers and members of the time exchange, provide consistent homework help, guidance, and mentoring for the students. "It is a very labor-intensive program for our centers," Goldstein said, "but it is very rewarding too. It is amazing to think that we have students succeeding in school right here in our computer center."
	Afterschool Program. CHA Tech also operates an active afterschool program every weekday. The program, via YAVI, consists of academic enrichment activities, as well as an arts program and a percussion program that teaches discipline and focus through various approaches of rhythm. "Another component of the afterschool program is our continuing peace initiative," related Goldstein. "This anti-violence program runs from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2011 to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2012 and is conceived and led by CHA Tech partner Community Arts Center. Each month, the students participate in some sort of event or gathering. Right now, they are working on Pieces of Peace. For the community-wide movement, we are creating three murals around our community garden."

In addition to its full array of programs, CHA Tech also serves as an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, preparing more than 100 tax returns last tax season that added up to $65,000 in tax return dollars for community members. The services provided by CHA Tech VITA volunteers also saved community members about $19,000 in tax filing fees. CHA Tech also offers a bike repair program, community gardening program, and one-to-one assistance for applying online for CHA public housing or the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP).

The centers also participate in the HUD/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Community Health Worker Health Initiative, which trains residents to work as community health workers. Resident Community Health Workers disseminate health information; provide health and wellness courses, seminars and events; and mentor residents to improved health outcomes.

What the Future Holds

While Goldstein and his team have their hands full, they still hope to expand the programs and services offered at CHA Tech. "In the future, we plan to introduce a strong focus on asset development," stated Goldstein. "We are doing a good job at building skills and helping people increase their self-sufficiency, but we think the next step is teaching people what to do with the money they earn and how they can make the most of their money. We would like to offer some financial literacy courses and help residents and community members start building their assets, including home ownership and small business and cooperative enterprises. The centers have really become a community resource, and there is no way we could have done it without the support of Swarthmore College and the students who dedicate their time, talent, and energy at the centers, as well as our other partners."

For More Information For more information on the Chester Housing Authority's Neighborhood Networks centers, contact:

Rick Goldstein
Business Development Manager & Neighborhood Networks Coordinator
Chester Housing Authority
35 E 5th Street
Chester, PA 19013-4401
(610) 876-5561 ext. 227

For more information on Neighborhood Networks centers in Pennsylvania, contact:

Santo Duca
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Philadelphia Regional Office
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390
(215) 861-7600

Christina A. Palmer
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Pittsburgh Field Office
Moorhead Federal Building
1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2515
(412) 644-6461