Learning Day and
Night
Prescot-Joseph Center for Community
Enhancement
 |
| Attending
the first session: (front row) James Menifee, Walterine
& Yolanda Gray, Alice Simpson, Dan Blackman, Karmen
Johnson, CoCo Liboiron, and Glynda Hull; (back row)
Smoking Bear and Kenneth Bryant |
Across from St.Patrick’s
Church, at 920 Peralta (at 10th), is a new community center for
West Oakland that is making a difference. Pastor Burns lead the
effort to save the old abandoned building that in 1876 was a
convent. His brother, Washington Burns ,aided in making that a
reality.
The center is now open day and
night. A computer lab was set up in the large basement of the
center. Durin the day, UC Berkeley seniors work with local youth
to digitally document the rich and varied lives of the communities
elder members. The result will be a movie of rich and lively
history in their own words. At night, Laney College Extension
offers courses to improve basic skills using the same basement
computer lab . These are just two of the many programs offered by
the center.
Volunteers are also making a
difference. Many are continuing to restore the historic building.
Two set makers who work for Disney and Spielburg pitched in to
build the new performing arts stage. For information, contact Dr.
Washington Burns at (510) 208-5651.
