NEW ORLEANS – The William J. Fischer Community Center, 1400 Semmes Ave., will celebrate the unveiling of its new technology lab on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Through a grant from Capital One Bank, The Heart of America Foundation’s READesign® team worked with the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) and Fischer Community Center members to transform two computer labs into a state-of-the-art technology center featuring large-screen monitors, a 3D printer and scanner, color laser printers and copiers and digital and video cameras, among other enhancements. The READesign® Technology Lab will provide community residents with on-demand access to business and financial literacy tools, empowering users to develop the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy.
On Thursday, volunteers from Capital One Bank and The Heart of America Foundation will complete the new technology lab, collaborating on activities that include assembling furniture and installing technology equipment and conducting mock interviews and resume reviews with students and community members. Capital One Bank will also donate more than 1,070 books focusing on financial literacy, career and workforce development and parent resources, and containing digital content. Capital One is also donating take-home books for students and seniors. Volunteer work will conclude with the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and technology demonstrations.
Capital One is committed to supporting organizations including Heart of America that create a positive impact in local communities, including greater New Orleans, bank reps said. Capital One Bank partners with Heart of America to put technology and books into the hands of children in low-income communities and to create innovative technology labs and libraries in their schools. Since 2002, the organizations have supported the foundational literacy skills of tomorrow’s future leaders and worked to bridge the digital divide by donating 1.4 million books valued at $10.9 million to 609,900 students, bank reps said. Capital One associate volunteers annually donate and distribute books, engage in digital learning activities with students, and renovate outdated technology labs, keeping the opportunity for success within reach for students in their communities.
Through its Future Edge initiative, launched in 2015, Capital One is focusing $150 million of community grants and initiatives over five years to help more Americans succeed in a digital economy. Capital One’s investment in this new Technology Lab is one of the ways the company is bringing the Future Edge initiative to life.
