The Alachua/Sherwood Oaks Neighborhood Networks Center (NNC)

The Center serves the residents of the Alachua Apartments, Sherwood Oaks Apartments, and the surrounding community in Alachua, Florida.

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MISSION STATEMENT

To build partnerships with business, educational, and social service organizations to encourage, and support residents in seeking gainful employment and educational opportunities that will help them into the mainstream workforce and to supply them with the means, knowledge, or opportunities to become self-sufficient.

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WHAT GOES ON AT THE CENTER?

• Adult Education
• Basic Computer Class
• Basic Internet Class
• Microsoft Word Class
• Excel Class
• PowerPoint Class
• GED Pre-testing
• ESL

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JOB DEVELOPMENT

• Resume Writing
• Job Search
• Pre-interview Tips & Practice Job Interviews
• Summer Youth Employment via the “Yes Program”

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CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

• Summer Computer Classes
• Arts & Crafts
• Summer Movie Day
• Leisure Reading
• Special Activities
• Indoor & Outdoor Games

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SAHMA DRUG-FREE KID POSTER ART CONTEST 2006
Theme: "Believe to Succeed"

Group Photo
Standing Left to Right: Vincent, Samuel, Mrs. Harris, Ieshia.
Sitting: Tyler, Quianna, Nimai

This year the Center had six youth that drew posters for the contest. They were Quianna (3rd grade), Tyler (3rd grade), Samuel (5th grade), Nimai (5th grade), Ieshia (7th grade), and Vincent (7th) grade. Mrs. Dubin owner of the Green Heron Art Studio in Alachua, Florida volunteered her time to help the children with there posters. Mrs. Dubin is an art teacher and enjoys working with children. This is her third year volunteering her time and talents. She is great with the children and shows them how to transfer their idea from paper to a standard size posterboard.

This year the Center had two winners Nimai and Ieshia. Nimai won 1st place, State Category and will receive fifty dollars. Ieshia is the Overall State Winner and will receive five hundred dollars and her poster will go on to compete against the other state winners for a National winner. This is Ieshia's third year in a row as Overall State Winner. She was the National Grand Prize Winner in 2004 (prize: $2,500 scholarship) and that poster was used in the NAHMA calendar for 2005. The youth will receive their awards at a SAHMA awards luncheon in Jacksonville, on April 20, 2006.

I am very proud of each of the youth's posters and thankful for a great volunteer like Mrs. Dubin!

Ieshia and Mrs. Harris

Nimai

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Maria Petas

MARIA PETAS & GOLDIE

Maria Petas is a visually impaired resident of Sherwood Oaks Apartments. She has not let her blindness stop her from entering the "Age of Technology". Maria receives in-home computer tutoring twice a week. Her computer has a program call JAWS, this program reads out loud what is on the screen. She currently runs Microsoft XP on her computer. Maria is a pro at emailing and maintaining Outlook. She has also learned how to use Microsoft Word, how to add internet shortcuts to the desktop, and how to navigate web pages using keyboard commands. Maria does NOT have a Braille keyboard and has memorized all the keys on a standard keyboard. Maria has also joined two email chat groups: One based in England that is a group of blind people with seeing-eye dogs and the other group is her Sunday school class. We are still having a little trouble with the Internet, so if any one has any keyboard tips or JAWS tips for the Internet, please email the Center with them!

Goldie is Maria's seeing-eye dog and she is very smart. Maria told her to "follow" me to the Center. The next time Maria came to the Center Goldie lead her right to the door and then right back home when she was done. Maria also volunteers at the Center during the summer and teaches the children crafts. It is fun to watch the children learn crafts with Maria. They are amazed by her skills and sometimes don't really believe she is blind. She also educates the children about how to act around a blind person, a seeing-eye dog, and how a seeing-eye dog is a blind person's eyes.

Marie shows us that with a little perseverance, dedication, and motivation that we can learn anything. Goals are never unattainable or unreachable if you just try. Reach out to those who can help you, teach you, and guide you; they are there to assist you in achieving your goals. Every time I share Marie's story with someone they are amazed at what she has accomplished. She has learned to make the tools work for her and learned the tools to successfully communicate with others. The Center is here to assist you to reach your goals, whether it is by way of computer training, creating, learning, or teaching. We are here to help you.

Maria & Goldie

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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

In order to offer our residents educational workshops and social activities, we strongly rely on the partnerships we have developed with various community agencies and volunteers.

TO DATE COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Alachua City Hall
Alachua County Library
Alachua County Today Newspaper
Alachua Police Department
State of Florida AHC
The Green Heron Art Studio
Santa Fe Community College
University of Florida

HOW YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN HELP:

• Volunteers: Volunteers are continuously needed to assist with the following classes and workshops: Adult Literacy, Computer Basics, Tutoring Children, Arts & Crafts, Story Telling, etc. Let us know if you’d like to volunteer your time to help with a resident activity. We’d love to have you.
  
• Community Partners: Businesses, churches, private foundations, schools and community organizations all play a role in the success of our Neighborhood Networks Center efforts. Contact us to find out how you or your organization can get involved.
  
• Supplies / Equipment Donations: If you’d like to assist by donating supplies or equipment, the following items are needed: Computers, computer software, paper, pencils, arts & crafts supplies, ink jet cartridges, children’s books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and snacks for children’s activities. New or used supplies and equipment are welcomed.
  
• Financial Donations: Your financial support is needed for resident activities and supplies—whether it be a one-time donation or an ongoing commitment. Contact us to receive more information about making a tax deductible donation to the Alachua/Sherwood Oaks Neighborhood Networks Center.

Mailing Address:
Alachua/Sherwood Oaks NNC
Attention: Cynthia Harris
1149 P.O. Box
Alachua, FL 32616-1149
Email Address: nnc120@alltel.net
Phone: 386-462-7282
Fax: 386-462-7282