Technology Works Resource Center to Hold Open House

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The TECHnology WORKS Resource Center, the first program of its kind to provide Buffalo urban residents access to the information superhighway through a range of services and programs, will host an open house from 5-8 p.m. March 28 in the University at Buffalo's Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), 465 Washington St., Buffalo.

Staff members and community and business partners will demonstrate services and programs via the related technology and provide information on the facility.

In addition, representatives from Gateway computers and Buffalo.com will sponsor mini-workshops related to computer-technology use.

The EOC is the hub of a five-site partnership that includes the King Urban Life Center, the Buffalo ACCESS Center, the Buffalo Urban League and Bethel Head Start.

The resource center was funded last year through a three-year, $850,499 Community Technology Centers (CTC) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

A unique feature of the TECHnology WORKS Resource Center is the combination of e-learning and distance-learning technology in the delivery of programs, courses and services.

The Federal CTC Program funds projects that create and expand locations in distressed urban and rural areas where children and adults in low-income communities can gain access to computers, the Internet and educational technology.

EOC Director Sheryl D. Weems is excited about the new program.

She pointed out that UB and its Office of Public Service and Urban Affairs is committed to carrying out its public-service and urban-education missions to further link higher education's advanced-technology resources to impact positively on the quality of life for Buffalo's lower-income, urban residents via the EOC and its community partnership.

"Over three years," she said, "the program's hub and four satellite locations will provide access and training to bridge the 'digital divide' for 300 families, 100 senior citizens, and an additional 100 adults and 300 children under 9-years-old who live in Federal Enterprise Community Area 2.

"Up to 600 participants who work and/or reside outside the target zone, including for-profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations, will be invited to use the facilities to introduce new skills and upgrade the skills of the workforce," Weems added.

In addition to classes, workshops, activities and seminars that focus on using basic computer access and literacy to develop specific academic skills and acquire vocational training, participants will be able to open free email accounts and access the computer labs during the hours the sites are open.

"The TECH WORKS staff, under the direction of Anna Poupalas, is talented, innovative and very eager to extend services and programs to the community," Weems said.

"With its 30-year history, EOC has earned the respect and confidence of the community and is well-positioned to deliver this very unique, technological opportunity that will assist in bridging the 'digital divide,'" she said.

For further information, call Weems at 849-6737, ext. 125.