New Haven Independent

Amos and other West Rock residents were at the new center Wednesday to celebrate it.

Housing Authority of New Haven (HANH) residents Olivia Lewis, on the left in the photo, and Nezzie Ransom, wielded the scissors to cut the ceremonial blue ribbon up at the West Rock Family Center on Wilmot Road. Then an average-sized door opened onto a spacious and impressive new facility designed to help change people’s lives in the direction of greater self-sufficiency.

It was described as a dream come true for HANH Executive Director Jimmy Miller (on the far left), HANH commissioners David Alvarado and Louise Pearsall (on the right) and others gathered for the festive ribbon cutting. The West Rock Computer Lab & Library is a multi-room, state-of-the art computer laboratory, library and self-help center dedicated to kids, adults, and HANH families to take the next positive step in their lives, by their lights and whatever that might be.

According to Alvarado, while other metropolitan housing authorities have recreation rooms and computer rooms, an investment on this scale in equipment, resources, and staffing is unusual.

The new lab and library is for those who want to research starting a new business, learn typing, take classes in budget and financial management, job preparation skills, health and wellness courses, and a host of still-in-formation programs, all in the same location. The lab and library are the latest new resource HANH is deploying to give residents not only a roof over their heads, but tools in their hands to move ahead in their lives, step by individual step.

“I keep on saying this so it will be loud clear,” Miller said in his remarks. “With us ‘self-sufficiency’ isn’t marketing. It isn’t a buzz word. We mean it. We can build lots of buildings at HANH, but unless we also build and promote in every way possible the self sufficiency of our residents, we’re not fulfilling our responsibility.”

In saying this, Miller was re-articulating ideas he’s brought with him and implemented since his arrival at HANH. He has beefed up HANH’s social services staff and instituted mental health counseling and other programs on site, particularly in the authority’s buildings where elderly residents are mixed in with a population struggling with substance or emotional problems.

“Self sufficiency,” he went on, “may mean helping prepare someone for a job through classes held in this new facility, but it also will mean something different to each of our 4,500 residents. For some it might mean taking the next step, however modest. That might be learning to take their medication reliably, or paying their rent on time, or bathing each day. That also is a step in self-sufficiency.”

The new facility has a meeting and recreational room, complete with a library chock full of books from Excel for Dummies to fiction. Down the hall there are two capacious computer classrooms, so that a group of kids can, for example, read Macbeth or do test prep, while in the adjacent rooms adults who want to start their own businesses can learn about business plans.

Meanwhile, out front in the meeting room, a mom who has wandered in can, for example, be researching job opportunities or home ownership on the computer, while her kid reads from one of the library books.

Sheila Allen Bell (on the left), HANH’s assistant executive director for community and economic development, said that some 20 people are signed up for classes already. In the weeks ahead she estimates that the lab, which will operate at first 9 to 5 (with evening hours expected to be added), will accommodate approximately 100 people per week in classes.

According to Diana Smith, HANH’s acting chief financial officer (standing with Bell), the cost to renovate the building, including creating the new classrooms, installing top-of-the line video cameras, security lights, and shelving, was $260,000. The funds came from a $400,000 Ross Grant which had been awarded to HANH for developing facilities that create community networks. The extensive library was provided by Barnes & Noble, and the computer furniture by Yale University. “All kinds of community partners will be coming in here to give classes,” Smith added. “New Horizons will be providing the computer classes, there will be volunteer tutors to work with the kids on their homework, the whole range of things.”

Security at the site has been an issue over the years, in part because of the isolation, and in part because some of the HANH projects that flank it — Rockview and Brookside — are now shuttered and awaiting major rebuilding. Former, far more modest computer programs and libraries set up by outside non-profits had been undermined by neglect and vandalism.

No longer. It was clear that for many of the HANH staffers who were there, this new facility was a labor of thoughtfulness and serious commitment. Claude Stanberry, HANH computer network manager, who designed the systems, demonstrated that each of the computers is fitted with a “thin client” devise” instead of the standard CPU. “The CPUs,” he explained, “have street value, but not these boxes, so that’s one of many means to keep potential theft and misuse under control.” All the users’ work is saved on the network, and that equipment is secure in nearby locked rooms.

The new facility has security cameras and lights that are always on, and the cameras enable staff to see activity in the room at all times; still there appeared the necessity also to mount some impressive bars on the windows as well.

Plus, there will always be a program manager such as Cynthia DeLouise on staff when the rooms are being used. Local activist and tenant residents council president for Westview Manor, Yul Watley, said the new lab iss a great asset to residents. “We should give Curt Jennings, the director of the West Rock Development Corporation, his due; he helped make this happen. This is a real benefit, so necessary.”

Westiew residents, Watley explained, have their own smaller computer room that HANH will also be fixing up, but it is not on the scale or ambition of the new space. “Our kids will of course come here,” but late at night, for example, they can work in our space.”

When the Rockview and Brookside developments, currently empty, are rebuilt, those residents will also make use of the new facility.

In the meantime, it is open to anyone in the entire citywide HANH system. “All people have to do,” said Bell, “is sign up for the FSS (the Family Self Sufficiency Program)” which is a very easy process. Then we guide them towards whatever their next goals are — financial literacy, job training, you name it. And a lot of that work can go on right here now.”

There had been some concern, David Alvarado explained, in establishing the library and lab in the Wilmot Road location because of its isolation and history of misuse. “However, when Jimmy (Miller) committed to getting a van to bring residents here, the problem was solved.”

Here’s the solution — the new van, driven proudly by Jose Castro (with two passengers, Nezzie Ransom, on the left, and Marie Turner), shuttles people daily, on a schedule, from throughout the HANH system to the library and lab. The van, which cost $44,000, has 12 seats and room for four wheelchairs.

“I wish,” said Bell, “that we had a van with 52 seats.”

If the program is as successful as she thinks it will be, that might be the occasion for the next ribbon cutting.

For information, the contact is Cynthia DeLouise: 203-498-8800, extension 1614.