Thanks to a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, residents of the Housing Authority buildings and their neighbors will now have additional computer access in the expanded Technology Center at the Hillside Terrace Pavilion.
Virgilio Cabello, executive director of the Housing Authority, said that five years ago, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designated 25 out of 3,500 Housing Authorities nationwide as a “Campus of Learners.” Union City was the only one to have been so designated in the state. Said Cabello, “We were selected because of how we do things and do them well.”
The idea behind this program, according to Cabello, was to “train Housing Authority residents to get out of the cycle of poverty by giving them the opportunity to learn something.” To implement the Campus of Learners program, the Housing Authority needed a partnership with an educational institution. After meetings with the Union City Board of Education fell through, the Authority teamed up with Hudson County Community College.
Because of the federal designation, the Housing Authority was able to use $2.5 million of excess modernization funds to build the tall, three-level recreational and educational pavilion. When opened on May 4, 1998, the invitations described the Pavilion as a “state-of-the-art community education and recreation center for children and adults.” It houses three levels of self-contained activity floors. The main floor is a gymnasium with kitchen, and represents the recreational component of the facility. The main technology center is located on the upper level and provides access to computers and the Internet.
Half of the lower level beneath the gym is the home to “The Kids’ Place,” which has computers and educational activities. But the Kid’s Place only takes up half of the lower level of the Pavilion. The remainder was unused.
Pedro Gonzalez, chief financial officer of the Housing Authority explained, “What was needed was the money to finish [the space] and for the computers and equipment.”
A $400,000 HSIAC grant
In order to add computers and finish the space, the Authority and HCCC recently both applied independently for a Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. HCCC eventually was awarded the grant.
After the previously-unfinished half of the lower level was completed as part of this $400,000 grant, the grand opening was held on September 17, 2002.
The newly-completed space houses a large common room, a computer lab, and two classrooms, which can also be opened to create a single larger classroom.
The center is one of HCCC’s 12 Community Technology Centers located throughout Hudson County. Gonzalez said that there has been high demand, including a larger-than-anticipated participation on the part of senior citizens. Gonzalez pointed to the technology center as “an attempt to close the technology gap between the haves and the have-nots – those with experience and skills and those without. We’ve been very successful. In addition, we have time for open access to 27 computers there, and they’re open to the entire community.”
Eyal Baror, a resident, indicated that he really likes the computers and the access to the Internet. Speaking in Spanish, he said, “When I have the time, I’m here.”
Kevin Smith, a resident who said that he uses the facility sometimes, indicated that the center is usually busier than the three people who were there at noontime. Sergio Espolita, a site facilitator employed by HCCC who works at the computer lab, agreed. Espolita stated that the busiest time for the Center is in the evening.
In addition, the HSIAC grant will provide for the renovation of additional community space at the Columbian Gardens complex.
To get involved
Computer training is not all that’s offered. HCCC has brought courses to help bring up residents’ English and reading skills to the level of computer-usage. In addition, different career level courses are also offered through the college. Cabello said this program “has opened the door for them to pursue higher educational opportunities. This is an introduction to the discipline of the higher educational system.”
In addition, as part of the Campus of Learners program, a waiver was obtained from HUD to allow those who are not residents to use the programs and services. Priority for the educational programs is still given first to residents, next to Union City residents, and then to the community at large.
Although no longer providing open access on weekends, the Center does provide open access to all members of the community from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Hours for the newly expanded section in the lower level have yet to be determined by HCCC.
For more information on the open access Community Technology Center at Hillside Terrace, which is located at 3911 Kennedy Blvd., call (201) 864-1515 x110. For information on other sites in the county call HCCC at (201) 656-2020.