communitytechnologycenters

Magnolia Park Multi-Service Center

 

voicesfromthelab

In Magnolia Park—named after 3,750 magnolias once planted there—Houston’s Mexican-American population has thrived since 1911 as settlers widened the Buffalo Bayou for the Ship Channel. Organizations and clubs like the Club Cultural Recreativo Mexico Bello, League of United Latin American Citizens and The Escuela Mexicana Hidalga created and preserved the Hispanic culture in this booming working-class neighborhood. In the 1960s and ‘70s, the area reported local activism for the Chicano movement, including the YWCA’s Conferencia de Mejueres por la Raza in 1971.

At the Magnolia Multi-Service Center, another resource is available for empowerment: free computer technology and support. When Imelda was laid off from her job, she immediately headed for the Magnolia Multi-Service Center for resources. What she found was a Technology For All (TFA) flier for the center’s new computer lab. “Before, they had nothing like this here. I’m not familiar with this stuff, but they [TFA Program Specialists Chris and Imicuk] are like teachers.”

She uses the labs for resume building and job searches though websites like indeed.com and local hospitals. “They’re helping me get familiar with resumes and all the things I don’t know how to do. No complaints about them.” Because Imelda received on-the-job training as a lab specialist, working towards a license is part of her job search. Using online resources has helped her find and apply for jobs, especially since so many applications are submitted online. “It works out for the people in the neighborhood; they need it here.”

Besides job preparation, the Program Specialists help her navigate the Internet’s opportunities and scams. “Some websites have ads for jobs, but when I try to apply they ask for private information. They’re scams.”

Imelda wants everyone to use the lab, especially while the local library is remodeled. “We need this in this area. A lot of the people are enthusiastic to learn and take advantage of this, especially for jobs.” Many people don’t have home computers, she says; Imelda rents a laptop. “If I get stuck, I come here with the problem.” And when the new Metrorail stop is completed in Magnolia Park, “Everyone can come straight here.” Imelda is already signed up for TFA’s computer basics class at the center. “Everyone who comes in gets what they need.”

If you’d like to support persevering job seekers like Imelda, you can help.

UPDATED: On February 21, 2012, Imelda emailed our Program Specialists with great news! Her previous employer has rehired her, and she began training on February 28. She ends her email with a thank you and a hope to continue classes in the summer. "She spent hours in class and applying for jobs online," says Program Specialist Imicuk. "I am so happy for her!"

Magnolia Park Multi-Service Center offers a learning center, a health center, day care and more. For more information, call (713) 928-9515 or visit 7037 Capitol Street.

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“Sometimes you have to push them past their hesitancy,” says Imicuk, Technology For All Program Specialist and summa cum laude graduate of Dillard University’s Department of Psychology. “They think the learning curve is so huge, but it’s not.”

In her role as mentor, trainer and tech support for three public computer centers like the one in Magnolia Park Multi-Service Center, Imicuk and her counterpart, Program Specialist Chris, have quickly learned how to push through local reluctance. Many current users and students would decline their invitations to use a computer, but still peeked inside as curiosity won. One man did this so often, Imicuk finally walked him to a computer. After showing him English as Second Language (ESL) websites, “He grew very focused. He came every day, only saying ‘Mañana’ as he left.” Now, he’s registered for computer classes in Spanish and ESL classes at the center.

Another woman came to the computer lab with a computer basics package for Spanish speakers. Despite her classwork, she struggled with the mouse. “Once she got it, she was so excited,” said Imicuk. “It’s just coordination,” she explains. “Once they know how to use the mouse, they’re free.” That’s the main piece, she and Chris agree. “As soon as they get that, they’re good to go.”

From there, students learn what to click (or never click) as they go through computer basics, the Internet, and the Microsoft Office suites. The center’s receptionist even wants to take computer basics class. “We always tell them they’re not going to break it, and make them play with it. That’s the biggest thing: giving them freedom and confidence.” Some students are afraid they will break the computer—what if they have to pay for it? “They realize we won’t punish them. So many people peek in; you just have to encourage them. You say, ‘Let me show you what you can do.’”

If you’d like to support the work people like Imicuk and Chris do for Houston, you can help.

Magnolia Park Multi-Service Center offers a learning center, a health center, day care and more. For more information, call (713) 928-9515 or visit 7037 Capitol Street.