East Tennessee's newest Neighborhood Networks Computer Learning Center (CLC) "premiered" at "Broadway" Towers, elderly subsidized housing development, 5 months ahead of schedule. Six donated computers and energetic volunteers is what it took to let the learning begin, according to Thomas B. (Buck) Adams, Neighborhood Network Coordinator for the HUD's Knoxville Multifamily Program Center.

This learning center wasn't supposed to be operational until Spring of 2007, and in fact, quite a bit of work remains to be done before the official opening in March, 2007. Meanwhile, this hasn't detered eight student volunteers from Knoxville Catholic High School who are also players on the school's volleyball team. The girls are as thrilled to be a part of helping the seniors learn computer basics and the seniors are enjoying getting to know the young volunteers.

Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center donated the computers and found a natural fit for becoming a permanent partner because they are located just blocks from Broadway Towers. So now, student participation in community service projects is a regular part of Catholic High's curriculum, making it a 'win-win' for both students and Broadway Towers residents. In November, a state-of-the-art computer was donated. This new computer will network with the older computers to give them more functionality and the residents will be able to do many more things. Bobbee Everence, resident manager, stated the "The experienced users are now showing the new users the ropes of using computers, which is how the natural progression of this should work".

This Neighborhood Networks work-in-progress learning center is working nonetheless. And a better script could not have been written for this "Broadway" production.

While some residents are being taught computer basics, a few others are quite skilled. Judith Shaver has been using a pc for almost 10 years but had to go to a public library to access one. She said she's thrilled to have pc access "at home." Charles Cagle has learned to use Mapquest and recently found directions to a produce market that he'd wanted to visit for quite a while but didn't know where it was located. Ann Richichar enjoys using Google to see photographs and articles written about a family member who was an All American football player at The University of Tennessee and an 8-time All-Pro mostly with the then Baltimore Colts in the 1950's.

Here are other related photos of some of the residents and student volunteers

This is a list of the people Buck interviewed and in pictures below.

Names of : J.R. Bowlin, Helen Romines, Charles Cagle, Judith Shaver, Ann Rechichar , Emmageane Huddleston, Katy Woodcock and Sarah