Paggi Community Center Opens its Doors

(l to r): Dr. Edward L. Pringle, Sr., HUD's Houston Field Office Director; Debra Riley; Joseph Sherman; Tyler Jackson, Paggi Community Center Director; Raynold Richardson, HUD's Houston Multifamily Housing Program Center Director; Willo Wortham, HUD Project Manager; Darlene Hines, HUD Supervisory Project Manager; and Mary Frances Byrd, HUD Housing Management Specialist.

HUD Representatives and Lake Houston community partners celebrate the grand opening of new Paggi Community Center

With the addition of the Paggi Community Center at the Haverstock Hills Apartment complex in Houston, Texas, residents are now enjoying the use of new computers and a large community room. The Paggi Community Center houses the Haverstock Hills Family Resource and Computer Technology Center, recognized as a model Neighborhood Networks center. Neighborhood Networks centers promote self-sufficiency and provide technology access to residents living in HUD-assisted housing.

At the September 2010 open house ceremony, Raynold Richardson, HUD's Houston Multifamily Housing Program Center Director, presented Tyler Jackson, Service Coordinator and Center Director, with a plaque recognizing his efforts in making the Computer Technology Center a model Neighborhood Networks center. Access to technology benefits residents searching for employment opportunities, provides educational and job-training program information and provides healthcare and other social service information that improves the quality of life for residents and their families.

Partnering with various agencies is also essential to making these types of projects a success. Community resources include the Houston YMCA, Houston Boy Scouts, Houston ISD, IT TECH, Texas Workforce, Workforce Solutions, University of Texas, District Attorney's Office, Harris County Sheriff's Office (Employment Skills Administration), Gulf Coast Community Services Association (computer instruction), Jewels Teen Program, Dress for Success and the Mayor's Antigang Agency.

With the addition of the new Paggi Community Center, residents at the Haverstock Hills Apartment comples have much for which to be thankful. To learn more about Neighborhood Networks centers, visit HUD's website.