Midlothian Village Apartments Opens Neighborhood
Computer Center in Richmond, Virginia

Tanya Dabney, property manager; Crystal Matthews, assistant property manager; Jerryl Bennett, HUD Sr. project manager; Sharon Drinkard Hawkshawe, Regional Property Manager, Hercules Real Estate; Keorna Redd, Leasing Manager.

On March 13th, 2009 Midlothian Village Apartments opened Virginia's newest Neighborhood Network computer center in Richmond, Virginia.

The computer center is an enormous asset to the community. The center's programs include activities run by the Boys and Girl Scouts of America, Family Impact, Inc., and Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES). The Boy and Girl Scouts of America provide homework assistance and mentors to youth on the property. Family Impact, Inc. provides in-home services and treatment to the families of children experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties. YES is a partnership between River City Foundation and Bank of America enabling residents to receive a loan to purchase a laptop if they open a bank account. Participation is contingent upon timely loan repayments and attendance in employability training at the center.

With three full-time staff, the center is open Monday - Friday from 9 am - 6pm. Complete with internet access, there are two computers with Microsoft Office 2007 programs. Each week the center has an average of 10 - 15 participants.

Midlothian Village Apartments is a tax credit property with almost 100% HUD Section 8 assistance. With 216 units and approximately 565 residents, the staff continues to work to increase resident participation at the new center by attracting more partners to bring more programming to the computer center.

The benefits of Neighborhood Network centers are two-fold. First, adult residents gain access to programs and services that help them improve job skills, expand their education and become economically self-sufficient. Second, property owners and managers experience financial stability of their developments because the ease of marketing their apartments reduces their vacancy rate and stabilizes the community.

Content Archived: March 1, 2011