VAN NUYS : Computer Lab Donated to School

Rebuild LA, now known as RLA, teamed up with IBM Friday to provide a new computer lab in Van Nuys designed to help adults and young people develop computer-literacy skills that can help them succeed in school and the job market.

IBM’s donation of 20 computer terminals worth more than $100,000 was applauded by about 75 supporters of New Directions for Youth Alternative Education School, including county Supervisor Ed Edelman, Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City), Assemblyman Richard Katz (Sylmar) and Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman (D-Los Angeles).

The donation marked the first time IBM has come to the Valley as part of its work with RLA. Since last year’s riots, the nonprofit organization has guided IBM’s donations of equipment for seven computer labs in Los Angeles, said project executive Bill Brown.

Edelman, representing the county, which contributed $25,000 in start-up funds, commended IBM for their interest in Valley youth.

“We know the problems we all face when young people need a helping hand and don’t get it,” Edelman said.

Some of the machines will be used to teach computer literacy to the 200 adults who participate in the New Directions job training program. Others will be used by the school’s 95 junior and senior high students, who are sent to New Directions because of their risk of failure in public schools.

Teacher John Apablasa, who called the school’s old computers “dinosaurs,” said the new lab will motivate students to learn by allowing them to learn marketable skills such as word processing, spreadsheet accounting and graphics.

“The kids love these computers,” Apablasa said. “These kids would not get the kind of regular opportunity to work on these computers at their regular school.”

Although the new lab will not be fully functional until July, some students couldn’t wait, including 16-year-old Elizabeth Torres of Sun Valley, who plans to use computers in her career.

“It helps me because I want to be an interior decorator, and I need to choose my colors or patterns on the computer,” she said.