On a recent Friday afternoon the Miller Community Center was bustling with activity. Young adults played tennis and school buses let off kids for after-school activities. A buzz of excitement was in the air as the children looked forward to the weekend.
But one of the most popular parts of the center was not visible from the street. It was a new computer lab, nestled in the lower level of the main building.
Students from nearby Meany Middle School look forward on a daily basis to using the newly refurbished computer lab. The lab opened on March 26, and already it has sparked a lot of interest, both among adults and children.
"They [students] run here and line up right after school," said Traci Grant, assistant coordinator for the Miller Community Center.
The lab currently features eight computers which, before the recent update, sat unused for four or five years. A local church group, Sanctuary, agreed to help set up the computer lab in order to give the community center the tools to provide an additional and desirable service to the neighborhood.
The center currently is open from 3 to 7 p.m., and a volunteer from Sanctuary staffs the lab. However, with more volunteers and additional staff, the community center hopes to extend its hours and provide additional computer access to those who may need it.
The Miller Community Center is looking to continue to expand the computer lab in the near future.
"We only have eight computers right now, but we are adding three more and a new server," said Charles Humphrie, coordinator for the Miller Community Center. He added that between 45 and 60 kids use the computer lab each day after school lets out.
The additional computers and server were purchased by the funds made available by a Community Connects grant, which is funded by a partnership between the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation and the Center to Bridge the Digital Divide.
Students from Meany Middle School, which is adjacent to Miller, see the lab as a vital resource. Most of the students in the lab use it every day for school work, entertainment and keeping in contact with friends through My Space.com and other websites.
"It gives me more time on the computer. I get my school work done, because I am still in the zone," said Cameron, a student from Meany Middle School.
He explained that with school still fresh in his mind, he is able to complete his schoolwork right way, instead of waiting to get home to start it.
Only open a short time, the lab has become quite popular and relies on a sign-up sheet in order to provide access for those who want to use it.
"Kids who have homework to do have first priority on the computers," said Grant.
She explained that many students use the computers for a variety of purposes, but if a students needs it for homework, they will make sure they accommodate them first. With schools assigning more homework and projects that require a computer, the lab helps kids gain access to the tools they need to complete these assignments.
"The computer lab is helpful, because some people don't have computers at home. Its time to do school work." said Jazzymine, a student from Meany.
The students explained if they finish their homework first, they can use their computers for other, more fun uses, such as playing games. The smiles on the faces of those using the lab show that it has succeeded in providing students with a place that is both positive and beneficial.
The Miller Community Center looks forward to expanding the scope of the computer lab, to include providing access to adults as well. Interest in the lab has spread across all age groups.
"We are getting a lot of calls about the computer lab, especially from seniors," said Grant.
Sometimes overlooked, many senior citizens yearn for computer access and educational programs, and the Miller lab should help seniors address those needs.
With these additional resources, the community center plans to offer a wider range of programs for both students and adults. As the lab becomes more established, organizers hope that additional classes and programs will be offered earlier in the day, while the Meany students are still in school.
Off to a strong start, the Miller Community Center is excited about the opportunity to provide the community with a computer lab that allows everyone to enjoy the latest technological benefits.
William Crane is an intern at the Capitol Hill Times. He can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com.
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