Dallas, Texas recently celebrated a very special Grand Opening of its newest Neighborhood Networks Learning Center. In addition to adding another significant community resource, the Center was dedicated to the late Ola V. Warfield-Burton, wife and life-long companion of E. Ross Burton, Director of HUD's Region VI Multifamily Housing Hub in Fort Worth, TX.

Neighborhood Network Centers are community centers specifically created to bring learning opportunities to low and moderate-income residents living in HUD Multifamily insured or assisted housing. The Cimmaron Trail property owners and South Dallas community leaders chose to honor the Warfield-Burton family by naming the new learning center after this former community volunteer. "Naming the new Center after Ola was due primarily to all the unselfish years of loyalty and dedication to her community and years of community service," said Willie Starr, on-site manager of the new Center. "In our opinion, too many times unsung heroes like Ola make lasting contributions to their communities, and it goes without being rewarded. This was our opportunity to show our appreciation for all she has done."

The Ola V. Warfield-Burton Learning Center will be part of the Cimmaron Trail Apartments, a 170-unit, HUD 221(d)4 property with 100% Section 8 assistance, and will make available seven personal computers, three laptop computers, and 2 printers. The Center will receive its direction and leadership not only from the current on-site manager, Mr. Willie Starr, but also from various other participants of the Community Coalition of Oak Cliff, a community service organization of South Dallas. Johnny Flowers, the coalition's social services coordinator, will be assisting Mr. Star with management of all the programs at the network learning center, including the mentoring program for young men in the complex and of the community.

Left, Willie Starr, Learning Center on-site manager; Victoria Patterson, granddaughter of Ola V. and E. Ross Burton; Gloria Randell, assistant manager; Eric Patterson, grandson of Ola and E. Ross Burton; and E. Ross Burton, Director, HUD Region VI Multifamily Hub Center.

The Ola V. Warfield-Burton Learning Center celebration also included a special tribute to the Learning Center owner, Sovereign Management Company, and two City Proclamations to the Warfield-Burton family by the District 8, Dallas City Council, and by the District 3, Dallas County Commissioners Office. On hand to commemorate the Grand Opening was HUD's Vyllorya Evans, Washington D.C. Deputy Director of the Office of Housing Assistance and Grant Administration. Accepting the tributes and dedication proclamations was E. Ross Burton, husband of Ola V. and Director of HUD's Region VI Multifamily Housing Hub Center, and various other family members.

Victor Eldridge, Supervisor of the Texas Workforce Center, will assist individuals at the learning center seeking employment through the governor's job bank, and James Cruthird, Jr. of the El Centro College, will be in charge of the learning center's GED Department and programs. The Mt. Tabor Baptist Church will also be assisting efforts to administer the learning center's After School TAKS Tutoring Program.

For more information about this new Neighborhood Network Center, contact Vernon Butler, Jr., HUD Region VI Multifamily Hub Neighborhood Networks Program Coordinator.

Learn more about HUD's Neighborhood Networks Initiative (www-domino4.hud.gov/NN/contacts.nsf/centersearch?OpenForm), including how to find a local center, become a volunteer, or start a new Neighborhood Networks Learning Center.