Rock Island Housing Authority Becomes First Public Housing Neighborhood Networks Center to Achieve Model Status

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Rock Island, IL—In September 2010, the Rock Island Housing Authority (RIHA) became the first recipient of Model status in the Neighborhood Networks Center Classification System. This achievement confirms the agency's commitment to the Neighborhood Networks mission and the residents its centers serve. And, as the first Public Housing Neighborhood Networks center to achieve Model status, Rock Island Housing Authority serves as a shining example of potential and possibility to other centers.

About Rock Island Housing Authority

RIHA owns and manages more than 485 units and provides housing for nearly 850 individuals. The agency is dedicated to not only providing affordable housing opportunities to low- and moderate-income families, but also to assisting residents in their efforts to become financially self-sufficient.

To help residents achieve greater self-sufficiency, RIHA established a comprehensive program that includes a wealth of services and resources, many of which are offered through the agency's four Neighborhood Networks centers. Opened in 2006, RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers offer residents the use of a total of 18 computers and are open every weekday during business hours, with some evening classes offered.

Partnerships Helping to Pave the Path for Self-Sufficiency

RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers continually offer classes aimed at helping residents achieve greater self-sufficiency. To offer these classes, RIHA partners with a variety of community organizations, including:

	Technology Now. A local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing technology education and instruction, Technology Now is a key partner of RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers. With the support and expertise of Technology Now, RIHA is able to continually offer basic and intermediate computer skills classes. These six-week classes teach residents a range of skills from keyboarding to using the Internet and e-mail. The classes also cover some of the most popular business software applications, such as Word, Excel, Access, and Photoshop. "Technology Now expanded its program offering at our centers about eight or nine months ago," said Adrian Blackwell, RIHA resident services coordinator. "They have added a work-readiness training that begins with a review of reading and math skills and progresses to specific training and job searches. Technology Now representatives work with residents to scan employment opportunities and then craft a training plan that helps residents qualify and apply for these positions. They also offer independent work-readiness training. During this two-week training, residents engage in mock interviews, learn how to dress for success, and conduct employment scans to determine which companies are hiring and what types of positions are available. Our partnership with Technology Now has been a huge success, and one we are delighted to have."
	Goodwill Industries. Like Technology Now, Goodwill Industries partners with RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers to provide work-readiness training. Goodwill representatives work with residents to identify local companies and businesses that are hiring and to help residents prepare and apply for those positions. Goodwill also uses its professional network to place residents in internships with various retail businesses, such as Kmart and Walgreens. These internships often lead to regular employment.
	Partners in Job Training. A nonprofit organization, Partners in Job Training assists residents with creating strong resumes and reviewing an extensive database of local job opportunities. Partners in Job Training also enters residents' resumes into a skills database that cross-matches residents' skill-sets with local job opportunities. When a job that matches the resident's skill-set becomes available, the resident is alerted via e-mail.
	Black Hawk College and Scott Community College. RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers also work closely with two local colleges, Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois and Scott Community College, located just across the Mississippi River from Rock Island in the town of Bettendorf, Iowa. Black Hawk College offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes on site at RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers. "We have a high concentration of immigrants and refugees living in our public housing communities," said Blackwell. "Many of these individuals were forced to flee their own countries because of war or harsh conditions. Many are educated, but lack the language skills that allow them to compete and succeed in the job market. They desperately want to learn English so they can contribute to and become more integrated into our society. Our ESL classes are always full. In fact, we added a second class, and there is a waiting list for it." RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers work closely with Scott Community College to help residents attain specialized training in a variety of areas. "Scott Community College offers a variety of vocational classes that residents can take to begin building a career," said Blackwell. "At Scott Community College, residents can complete a certificate program or earn their associate's degree. So far, we have had 17 residents earn a degree or graduate from a certificate program from Scott Community College. They have furthered their education in nursing, pipefitting, and truck driving. Residents have also taken classes in logistics, which deals with warehousing and shipping. Because we are located on a major waterway and have Interstates 80 and 74 running through the heart of the community, having training in logistics prepares you to work for many companies in the area."

These are just a handful of RIHA's partners. According to Blackwell, RIHA's Neighborhood Networks centers have more than 75 partners on both sides of the river in Illinois and Iowa. "We are constantly looking to build partnerships with organizations that can bring our centers new resources and our residents new opportunities," said Blackwell. "However, it is important for us to build mutually beneficial partnerships. While our partners provide many resources, we offer them access to our community and provide them with a space to offer their programs."

Bringing Partners Together

Each year, RIHA hosts job fairs at their Neighborhood Networks centers. Center partners and local businesses are invited to participate in these job fairs. "We invite many of the larger corporations, such as John Deere which is headquartered in Moline, Illinois, to participate," said Blackwell. "Representatives from these companies attend and explain to residents what type of positions are available, as well as what type of skills and education is needed. If a resident does not have the skills or education required, the representatives are really great about explaining how they can go about acquiring the skills and education."

Words of Wisdom from a Model Center

While RIHA is proud of its Model status, Blackwell is quick to remind people that their centers did not start out as Model centers. "Building a successful center is not easy," said Blackwell. "But, do not get frustrated. You may not have full classes right off the bat, but the residents will come once they see or hear about the benefits. Work closely with your resident council, if you have one. These are your best ambassadors for spreading the word and encouraging participation. Do not give up, and you will find success."

For More Information

For more information on the Rock Island Housing Authority's Neighborhood Networks centers, contact:

Adrian Blackwell
RIHA Resident Services Coordinator
Rock Island Housing Authority
227 21st Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 788-0825

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

Steven DiPietro
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Chicago Regional Office
Ralph H. Metcalf Federal Building
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60603-3507
(312) 913-8333