Brooks has been involved with the center since it opened in July 1997-first as a user of the center's services, then as the center's coordinator.

As part of welfare-to-work efforts by the Montgomery County Human Services Department, the Northland center provides one-hour employment training classes to about 30 low-income individuals daily.

The students work at their own pace, learning basic clerical skills and business software, such as Microsoft Office and Corel WordPerfect. In addition to computer instruction, students also learn how to develop their resumes and interviewing skills.

The Northland Computer Learning Center has developed partnerships with local organizations and companies to assist the students. One partner, United Health Services (UHS) of Dayton, Ohio, has been very active with Northland, providing career guidance to the students and conducting mock interviews. UHS is a nonprofit organization that offers employment training, housing assistance and education services.

Brooks is particularly impressed with one disabled resident who, after coming to the center with no computer skills and low self-esteem, went on to become president of her Residents' Council and a full-time employee of a nationally known high-technology company. "When they come to me and say they couldn't have done it without me, I tell them they did it all on their own," says Brooks.

The center also offers GED preparation courses and plans to offer a course to teach residents how to navigate the Internet.

The Northland Computer Learning Center serves the residents of the 500-unit Northland Village Apartments, a HUD-assisted and -insured development, and the surrounding community.

For more information on Neighborhood Networks communities in Ohio, contact:

Ms. Lois J. Wright

U.S. Department of HUD-Cincinnati Office

525 Vine Street, Suite 700

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: (513) 684-2350

E-mail: lois_j._wright@hud.gov

For more information about the Northland Computer Learning Center, contact:

Northland Village Apartments CLC

Ms. Tina M. Brooks

2021 Palisades Drive

Dayton, OH 45414