H.O.M.E.'s Where the Honickman Is

by Amy L. Webb

Project H.O.M.E., a Philadelphia-based nonprofit homeless advocacy organization that helps provide care and shelter for at-risk families, is hosting a grand opening of a new state-of-the-art technology center in North Central Philadelphia.

The first of its kind, the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs will offer literacy programs for children and adults, after-school enrichment classes and computer education. The center will also host classes of local high school students, allowing them the chance to edit video and produce newspapers and Web sites.

"All of our programs are technology-based," says Cynthia Ferguson, the center's director. "We're helping to supplement what's already being learned in the public schools, and we're giving at-risk kids an after-school base. We're also providing adult education classes. The whole community is gaining enrichment from our programs."

The center, located on the 1900 block of North Judson Street, spans 38,000 square feet and is wired for high-speed Internet access. It was built to accommodate 250 people and includes blocks of classrooms for grades K-6, 7-12 and adults. In addition, Honickman features production labs for Web design, graphics and video editing, outfitted with 210 Dell PCs, 30 IBM ThinkPads, 15 G4 and G5 Macs, and various video screens, printers and scanners.

The $13 million center was funded through contributions by Harold and Lynne Honickman, Brian and Aileen Roberts, Comcast, other individuals and public funds. Harold Honickman is chairman of Philadelphia-based Honickman Affiliates, one of the country's largest soft-drink bottlers, and Brian Roberts is the CEO and president of Comcast.

Ferguson says she is still collecting funds for the center's operating budget, which is projected to be $1.5 million annually.

The center's after-school classes include software-based literacy training for children reading below grade level. Teen programs also include daytime classes that offer academic credit at Strawberry Mansion High School.

A limited number of classes, which are mostly restricted to residents of St. Elizabeth Recovery and Rowan Homes and the surrounding communities, have been in session since late January. "We didn't want to expand too quickly," Ferguson says. In September, the center will double its current class offerings and student roster.

For more information on the center and future enrollment, see www.projecthome.org/ Highlights/hlc.html.

-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there