For Immediate Release
May 26, 2005
Contacts:
703-324-8313
703-324-8300
Fifth Computer Clubhouse Opens in Reston
Reston, VA - May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The network of computer clubhouses in Fairfax County expanded to five today with the opening by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Foundation of the Reston Computer Clubhouse at the Reston YMCA Teen Center.
"The NVTC Foundation supports the computer clubhouses because they combine practical learning with an exciting and fun approach that is characteristic of Northern Virginia's technology community," said Dan Bannister, chairman of the NVTC Foundation. "Our focus on education and training reaches children and adults of all ages and of all backgrounds."
In attendance at the opening were State Delegate Ken Plum; Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly; Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins; Chris Leonard, Deputy Director, Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services; Roberta Longworth, Executive Director, Fairfax Library Foundation; Patricia McClenic and Lee Betton, Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services; Mari Beth Luftglass, Fairfax County Public Schools; Bobbie Kilberg, President, NVTC; Dan Bannister, NVTC Foundation Chairman; and, Pam Dudley, President, NVTC Foundation.
The Reston facility is operated through a partnership between the NVTC Foundation with the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services, Fairfax Library Foundation, Fairfax County Public Library, Fairfax County Public Schools, and the Computer Clubhouse Network. The five computer clubhouses currently serve over a thousand children, young adults, and seniors in the Fairfax County community.
"The Reston Computer Clubhouse provides a creative and safe after-school learning environment where kids can work with adult mentors to explore ideas, develop skills, and build confidence by using technology," said NVTC Foundation President Pam Dudley. "Even though the facility has just officially opened, already we have 30 to 40 young people regularly attending the facility."
Mr. Bannister called on area companies to expand their support for computer clubhouses in the region. "For companies operating in Northern Virginia, our programs provide an opportunity to reinvest in the community in a visible and meaningful way," said Bannister. "For citizens of Northern Virginia, the NVTC Foundation's investments in education will benefit job growth and economic development in the local area for generations to come."
The Reston Computer Clubhouse is the first Clubhouse operating in a teen center that targets youth aged 12 - 18 (7th through 12th grades). The facility includes 15 state-of-the-art computers and a music room. The Clubhouse is located at 12196 Sunset Hills Drive in the Reston Teen Center in the YMCA building and operates Monday through Friday Noon to 8 p.m.
About the NVTC Foundation
The NVTC Foundation encourages and facilitates corporate giving to the community and specifically supports initiatives based in Northern Virginia that include technology as an component of their mission with the goal of ensuring that current advances in technology reach all sectors of the community. The Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization and contributions and sponsorships are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. More information
Source: NVTC Foundation