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The long
awaited opening of Playing 2 Win, a technology-based community
center on 111th Street and 5th Avenue came to a reality. Recently,
Harlemlive teamed up with Playing 2 Win to record this fantastic
moment.
According
to organizers, Playing 2 Win opened up to assist professionals
and youths in Harlem and East Harlem in getting a computer-related
education. The opening was in the planning stage by Boys Harbor
for about a year. Columbia University's Institute For Learning
Technologies (ILT),
also got involved, hoping to be an important factor in making
sure that the up-coming youth are provided with all the computer
knowledge they need to lead them into the 21st century.
The opening
was very successful. There were numerous schools, politicians
and media involved. Boys Harbor and some other non-for-profit
organizations were also represented.
Mara Rose,
director of the organization, who stepped on board three months
prior to Playing 2 Win's grand opening, played a very instrumental
part in its success.
"I was very
excited to see the place filled up with people. Our main goal
is to provide teachers, kids as well as members of the community
with the computer skills they need." she said.
Mara Rose
has many goals and ideas for the organization she hopes to accomplish.
In effort to reach her goals, Playing 2 Win is in need of a
lot of volunteers to help teach classes, she said.
Dr. Robert
Wallace, director of the school in Boys Harbor was also present
at the ceremony. Wallace was gratified to see the number of
community leaders that took part in the celebration.
"Boys Harbor
is committed with getting our community up to speed and we look
at Playing 2 Win for making this possible," he said.
 Mr.
Wallace himself hopes that the community will take advantage
of the lab. The center plans on providing adults access hours
and kids access hours, with the help of a volunteer to run each
session. Playing 2 Win is built with some of the latest technology,
helping and providing technology to people for the 21st. century.
Playing 2 Win has over 40 personal computers. Almost all of
the computers have fast internet access via a T1 line. Also
available are computer classes such as Introduction to Computers,
Beginning Photoshop, and Introduction to Access.
As part
of their job requirement, the Boys Harbor staff are required
to take classes at Playing 2 Win twice every week. They also
encourage their students to take advantage of the lab.
A lot of
hard work and dedication has been put into the existence of
Playing 2 Win, so if you're ever in the neighborhood or you
need any more information feel free to drop by or contact this
number (212) 369-4077 or just visit the website www.
playing2win.org. Playing 2 Win is located at 1330 5th Avenue,
at 111th Street.
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