Project HOME's Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs
The Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs, located in North Central Philadelphia, opened its doors in January 2004. The Center was the mutual vision that we were proud to have a part in authoring along with Project HOME co-founders Sister Mary Scullion and Joan McConnon, Brian and Aileen Roberts, and many others who wanted to offer the residents of the Project HOME community a greater opportunity to thrive.
The facility is a 38,000-square-foot comprehensive learning center that helps residents of the community – children, youth, adults and families – move toward greater prosperity by increasing their educational and employment opportunities through comprehensive technology and literacy instruction. Hundreds of residents of the neighborhood, many living in low-income and poverty households, now consider the Learning Center their second home since it has become a central location for residents of all ages to connect and grow.
The Center — equipped with 255 computers and SMART Boards in every classroom to promote interactive learning — offers a cutting-edge educational technology environment as it provides:
- An after-school program with comprehensive literacy instruction;
- Technology/computer classes that teach children in kindergarten through 6th. K-12 Visions, funded in part by the Honickman Foundation, is a web site created by the students.
- Technology/computer classes that integrate arts and education into curriculum for 7th through 12th grade students. This program encourages the teens to be "creators" of technology including classes in web design, video production, newspaper production, computer programming and networking. Visit Project HOME's Teen Programs page.
- Art and music programs that include digital photography and computer graphics;
- College and employment preparation, G.E.D. classes, job search, employment training and entrepreneurial programs for youth through the Harold A. Honickman Entrepreneurial Program
- GrandFamily Resource Center is a program of the Supportive Older Women's Network that provides a one-stop service for grandparents or older relatives raising children with weekly ongoing support groups, counseling, access to needed resources such as navigating the school system or custody issues, specialized parenting workshops, and computer training. Visit the Grand Family Resource Center website.