UWF Donates Computers To Century Community Development Partnership

May 8, 2008

The University of West Florida is reaching out to the Century community with an offer of help and assistance to local organizations. Recently in collaboration with the Century Community Development Partnership Inc. (CCDP), UWF donated 20 computers, a chalk board and six work tables to help in the creation of a Job Development Center in Century. The job center will be under the direction of the CCDP.

The purpose of the training center will be to teach lower income residents of the City of Century effective life-living skills and entry-level job skills. The center will also provide basic computer classes for adults and senior citizens, financial literacy and GED prep.

“The North-End of Escambia County has struggled for years against chronic poverty, under-education, a lack of job training, under-employment and a lack of housing,” said Pastor Irvin Stallworth of New Life Baptist Church of Century and president/executive director of the CCDP. “With this donation from UWF, the CCDP will establish a ‘Career-Path-Gateway Program.’ This program will introduce residents of our area to career opportunities, especially in the construction and construction technology trades.”

The goal of the project is to ultimately train technicians, journeymen and eventually, contractors. First, the center will work to attract and interest people in these career directions and offer basic career preparation. Trainees will then be directed on a career path and the center will work with their partners in career development to carry the trainees forward.

“Assisting the partnership helps us fulfill our mission to engage the community and help provide educational opportunities,” said John Cavanaugh, UWF President. “These computers will be a great asset for the Century community and will enable many to improve their job skills.”

The Century Community Development Partnership was founded in 2005, after Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. The partnership is the vision of Stallworth. The mission of the non-profit organization is to provide relief to the poor, the distressed and the underprivileged in the Town of Century and the rural communities of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties by engaging in and supporting activities that provide affordable housing, create jobs, eliminate blight and provide needed services; lessen the burdens of government, neighborhood tensions, eliminates discrimination and combats community deterioration; and aid, support and assist by gifts, contributions, or otherwise, other corporations, community chests, funds and foundations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes.

Additional Partners teaming with the CCDP on the Job Development Center include the Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Workforce Florida, Workforce EscaRosa Career Center, Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development and the Escambia School District.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News