Cutting the Ribbon on New Tech Opportunities

“Those days are over when you can have a job without a computer,” said Francis Ilonzeh, a fresh graduate of the Carroll Gardens Association’s new Computer Training Center. “That’s why I took the class. I want to catch up.”

The Carroll Gardens Association cut the ribbon on the training center today, while awarding certificates of completion to students who had just finished the center’s first six-week class session.

Housed in a bright room inside the Association’s Columbia Street office, the new training center offers free computer classes for neighborhood residents. While the classes are aimed at low-income residents who need a career boost, CGA board member Cynthia Gonzalez noted that the classes are open to all.

“Our students are comprised of community residents, some of whom are elderly. We have veterans. We have some disabled people, and obviously youth. It’s a really nice mix,” she said.

Funding for the training center was raised by State Senators Daniel Squadron and Velmanette Montgomery, who provided a combined grant of $17,500 through the New York State Department of State. The grant was used to refurbish ten computers donated by the National Christina Foundation, hire a teacher, and turn an old conference room into a classroom.

The two Senators were in attendance for the ribbon cutting.

“This is one of those moments when you feel rewarded, despite all the other things that are going on. It’s programs like this that really make our work meaningful to us,” Montgomery told the assembled guests.

Squadron noted the dramatic change that the former conference room had undergone to become the training center.

“This really feels like a place where people are going to want to come and make a career for themselves,” he said.

Pablo Sierra, a local resident and computer teacher for organizations such as Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, conducts the classes. He focuses on computer basics as well as Microsoft Office. During the last session, he walked his class through a payroll program on Excel. 

“Once they get comfortable with the software, half the battle is beaten,” Sierra said.

The second session of the training center’s computer classes has just begun and is already full. The program will take a break for the summer and resume on September 1. Anyone interested in signing up for the September session can do so now.

The classes currently run after business hours, and CGA Executive Director Vilma Heramia hopes to eventually add other programs, such as job search assistance and tenants’ rights workshops.

“This is just the start,” Heramia said. “This is the kernel of a future training center.”