Technology Center

Our dream of having an inviting state-of-the-art Technology Center was made possible through numerous generous donations of funds, labor, materials, and services. The groundbreaking for the Center took place on a rainy day in October, 2008. Click here for pictures of the groundbreaking. Rain is supposed to bring good luck and we think it did. The Center was completed in a short time and opened for business in May of 2009.

On August 25, 2009, a cross section of local, county, and state political, academic, and community agency representatives, Board members and staff, as well as El Centro Hispano clients participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially inaugurating the center. All the attendees enjoyed a sunny afternoon filled with typical guitar music from Latin America and delicious food. Click here for pictures of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Technology Center is the crown jewel in the complete renovation of El Centro Hispano offices and of St. Bernard’s Church’s Chapel Hall where so many of our events take place. New office space, energy-efficient windows, a new heating system, and decorative changes both inside and out were also made. Many of our clients donated their services with El Centro Hispano just paying for the materials.

The Technology Center has been in constant demand since the first class began on May 18, 2009 and Sunday is the only day when classes are not offered and the computers get some rest. Every age group is represented in the classes from school-age children, to their parents, to other adults, and finally to senior citizens. A description of the Technology Center’s offerings follows.

The Culture Through Technology Program (CTTP) meets throughout the year at the Technology Center at El Centro Hispano on Saturdays. For half a year students in grades 5-6 attend CTTP classes at the Center and for the other half a year 7-8th graders attend CTTP classes.
Half of the CTTP class time is devoted to developing our students’ reading skills and to tutoring them and thus strengthening their academic skills. During the rest of the class time, students discuss topics such as: the importance of good nutrition; responsibility; bullying; school environment; relationships with parents; manners and etiquette; and global warming. After each topic students discuss how these differ throughout cultures, and they complete related projects that strengthen their computer skills.
Each student develops a project as a culmination of their time in the program. The project demonstrates their technological, academic, and cultural knowledge as a result of taking the class.

Over the course of the year, depending on need, we offer the following levels of classes:
“Beginner” Computer Skills classes
“Intermediate” Computer Skills classes
“Advanced” Computer Skills classes
“Combined Level” Computer Skills classes as needed

Our “students” receive a certificate of completion at the end of each class that they take (64 hours long) and are honored at a special “graduation” ceremony. Click here for some pictures of our students at one of these ceremonies.

Our Offerings