Project Renewal technology lab gets upgrade - Quad City Times

Yael Vazquez of Davenport loves going to Project Renewal each day after school. And the 12-year-old likes it even more these days.

That's because the League of United Latin America Citizens, or LULAC, with AT&T, held a grand opening Thursday for the Empower Hispanic America with Technology Center at Project Renewal, 906 W. 5th St., Davenport.

The technology center is one of 60 such centers around the country that are part of the LULAC effort to give adults and children access to dependable and useful technology. Upgrades to the center included computer equipment, office applications software and technology curriculum. Additionally, technology support was made available to assist with the use of the new equipment.

“I started coming last year, and I really like it here,” Yael said. “I study science, language arts, social studies and sometimes vocabulary on the computer. It has helped me a lot.”

As part of the center’s relaunch, AT&T representatives joined center staff in helping members of the community learn about the new equipment.

The technology center provides people of all ages in the Hispanic community access to the internet as well as state-of-the-art computer equipment to complete resumes, search and apply for jobs online, prepare for college and careers and get help with homework.

“AT&T is proud to support this initiative and delighted that we can bring additional resources to this community,” said Dustin Blythe, director of external affairs, AT&T Iowa. “In many ways, this center symbolizes LULAC’s commitment to developing a strong and vibrant Hispanic community through leadership development and empowerment, education advancement and economic community development.”

Project Renewal was formed in 1974 in that neighborhood, providing resources for people, including youth. Ann Schwickerath, its director, said the new equipment provides help for people to do a variety of things, including completing résumés and college applications, GED preparation, financial aid research, online citizenship classes and job-search programs.

“We are very thankful to have this opportunity,” she said during ceremonies Thursday afternoon.

This effort builds upon LULAC’s work with AT&T in this area, which includes the initial establishment of 23 centers in 2004, 32 centers in 2007 and seven more center upgrades in 2015.

“This is the kind of center that this place should be,” said U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa. “Kids need to be on the computer just to finish their homework. This is the sort of thing we need to have for these folks.”

Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch praised all the work Project Renewal does and has done for decades.

“This is an important fabric of this community,” he said.

Lorena Nava, 17, a senior at Davenport Central High School, said she has been part of the youth program there for 13 years.

“It helps me a lot,” Lorena said. “The computers help me with public speaking, essays, with applications and searching for scholarships and applying for scholarships.”

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