For Immediate Release
March 20, 2008

Youth Training Center Opens

Young people in need of skills, training, and a place to be successful have a new home. Local officials gathered Wednesday to announce the opening of the Opelousas Housing Authority's Networking Center at 212 Westwego Street.

"We want you to call us if there is a kid walking the streets or in trouble," said Walter Guillory, executive director of the OHA. "We will make this a home-type environment for our kids."

The Networking Center is a refurbished room set up with computers, tables and a couch to give kids a place to learn computer literacy, job skills, communication skills, resume writing, social skills, financial literacy, interviewing skills, time management, appropriate attire and basic reading and writing skills. It is the result of a collaboration between the St. Landry Parish School System, the Opelousas Police Department, and the City of Opelousas.

The center, which will cost about $20,000 to $25,000 a year to operate, is being funded through a grant the authority receives for management of public housing, Guillory explained.

"It is going to kind of be a place to help our kids with their social skills," he said of the center's intent. "On tope of that we will be here to help with school work."

When young people enter the Network Center, Garnett Thomas, a coordinator for the housing authority, said she hopes to give them an opportunity to be successful. I hope this center gives an open door to thoe who feel like trade school is out of their reach," Thomas said. "I want them to know they have the opportunity to go there and that they will want to go further in the future."

From mentoring to homework skills, the center has several computers set up for use by youngsters, officials said. The computers were provided with the help of Capt. Martin McLendon of the Opelousas Police Department, who helped the housing authority to secure the computers, Thomas said."I just want to personally thank Capt. McLendon for helping us secure these," Guillory said.

Mayor Donald Cravins provided the spark to get the effort off the ground. "It is very important that we can maximize our effort," Cravins said. "I would hope that we could open it as a learning center, but also to have it as a center for adults." Adults in need of job placement skills could come to the Networking Center to get assistance, he said.

Daily Advertiser/Daily World
Sebreana Domingue