Man’s Idea of Computer Lab for Kids Clicks

Maybe it was the time he spent as a political prisoner in a Cuban jail. Or maybe it was the years he spent as an immigrant striving to make the most of his new life. Whatever the driving force behind Victor Rios’ passion to help kids succeed, he has certainly made an impact.

“Victor’s made a tremendous, tremendous difference to [kids], by sending a message to corporate America about how to connect with schools,” said Carla Sanger, president and chief executive officer of LA’s BEST, an after-school enrichment and educational program. “He’s a man who has offered human and financial resources and product to support the kids who need it most.”

What Rios, 55, has offered nearly 100 North Hills elementary school children over the last three years is computer instruction at ITT Gilfillan--a radar manufacturing firm in Van Nuys--where 10 carefully selected students arrive by bus twice a week to meet with their ITT mentors. The six weeks of classes culminate in a graduation ceremony, at which the participants are given their own computers.

Rios, who is in charge of computer technology at parent company ITT Defense Electronics, says that the attention and guidance given the computer students have contributed to a marked improvement in their academic standing at Langdon Avenue Elementary School. All those involved agree.

“The feedback from the schools has been extremely positive,” said Jack McGraw, director of human resources at ITT Gilfillan. “Victor’s commitment to take at-risk children and provide them other options in life has given them a lifetime experience.”

Rios’ own life story may explain his desire to help others.

Born in Havana in 1942, Rios attended Havana University, where the mathematics major was a Castro supporter. After assuming power in 1959, Castro clamped down on students, who were now rallying for freedoms the new regime had taken away.

Rios was arrested in April 1961 on a charge of threatening the stability of the Cuban government and was thrown into La Punta Castle, a prison where he says he and other political dissidents were subjected to physical and psychological torture.

Six months after his arrest, Rios was released from prison and, with the help of a family friend, obtained immigration papers. In 1962 he arrived in the United States, where he was granted political asylum.

Rios earned a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1971. In 1979 the computer specialist began working for ITT, and he relocated to Westlake Village with his wife, Joan, and their two sons in 1992.

After reading that California was behind other states in getting computers into classrooms, Rios approached Mayor Richard Riordan’s office with an offer to create a computer lab on the ITT Gilfillan premises, using equipment that was headed for the resale market.

Riordan referred Rios to Sanger, who, along with the ITT volunteers who were brought on board, began the after-school program in 1994.

Rios, who received a 1997 First Lady of California Volunteer Award, urges businesses to donate their time and computers to the city’s schoolchildren.

“It’s well worth it. Many of these kids will be successful in life, and I hope they can say that 20 years ago, someone helped turn them around. I’m confident of it.”