Computer Centers Link Residents To Web

Low-income apartment residents on the North Side are getting hooked to computers through new neighborhood learning centers.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is cooperating with managers of the apartments to open centers equipped with computers, Internet access and tutorial programs.

All of the complexes on the North Side get financial assistance from HUD. The complexes include the St. Andrew’s Court at Post and Cook, Winchester apartments at 4100 N. Cook and Morayo North Apartments at 2300 E. Euclid.

Also in the program is the Country Heights complex for the mentally handicapped in the Country Homes area.

Morayo North is managed by Becker Management and the other complexes in the program are managed by Kiemle & Hagood Co.

In all, more than 450 residents will have access to the computer centers when they are fully opened.

As many as six computers are being installed at each complex and residents will be able to use them to send electronic mail, keep in touch with their physicians by e-mail and learn job skills.

Senior residents can use the computers to prepare paperwork for medical needs or use the Internet to learn about community resources that might help them.

Children at Morayo North will get an early introduction to computers. Training programs are planned there for all users, said assistant manager Tori Barnes.

“It’s an exciting concept,” said Kay Reilly, senior property manager and HUD coordinator for Kiemle & Hagood.

There are nine computer centers citywide in housing complexes operated by Kiemle & Hagood.

According to officials at HUD, about 140 centers have opened nationwide so far under a program initiated last year by Vice President Al Gore. Another 770 are in the planning stages.

That makes Kiemle & Hagood one of the leaders nationwide in developing the learning centers.

HUD is encouraging low-income complexes to bring more community resources to their properties to help residents with job training, education, self-employment or wellness concerns.

The centers should provide greater interaction among residents of the complexes and promote a sense of community, according to a press release from HUD.

The idea is to help low-income people become more self-sufficient.

The program is also getting support from Oral B, the company that makes toothcare products. Oral B donated nine computers, monitors and printers to the program, Reilly said.

, DataTimes