Trey George, Executive Director of Topeka Housing Authority, introduces the Deer Creek Training Center.
It’s 2016, and that means you have to know and work with computers if you’re in the workforce.
To make sure everyone is up to speed, 12 library computers, an IT technician and two computer trainers just landed in the Deer Creek neighborhood.
The Deer Creek Training Center opened August 17, 2016. The library will offer professionally-led classes at the center and free internet.
For neighborhoods like the East End, where the Deer Creek Apartment complex houses families who typically don’t have easy access to the internet, free computer access can help people up their game and be more competitive in the job market.
That’s part of the reason why the library partnered with the Topeka Housing Authority (THA) to bring a dozen computers to the newly-renovated Deer Creek Community Center.
President and CEO of THA, Sophie George, is pictured with library CEO Gina Millsap at the training center’s grand opening.
“Deer Creek has 92 family units with incomes under $10,000,” says Sophie George, President/CEO of THA. “They want what any family wants for their children — for them to have it better than they had. But it’s incredibly difficult under the circumstances. We work hard to add services and opportunities for them any chance we get.”
Beginning in September, the library’s two professional trainers offer digital literacy classes in the center, all free of charge. Visit the library’s Eventbrite page to register for classes, or call 785-580-4400.
“We are thrilled and proud to be working with the 2016 Library of the Year,” says George.
The Training Center is open to all residents of Topeka and a library card is required to log in to a computer.
