little-haiti-optimist_web.jpgMIAMI — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime officiated at the Sept. 6 opening of the new Little Haiti Optimist Club (LHOC) Community Tech and Youth Center at Soar Park at 100 N.W. 83rd St., Miami.

The LHOC remodeled the existing park building in order to provide residents and their children with computer training, educational enrichment classes, and recreational program opportunities. 

The new center features a reception/information desk; work stations with computers, printers and copiers; a bulletin board for posting job announcements; and other resource information. 

The facility will serve as a one-stop technology center for residents seeking new careers and personal enrichment.  It will offer a wide range of classes and services that will include Internet Access; Basic

Computer Training; Job Search/Resume Writing; and Tutoring/Homework Help. In addition the new center will function as a youth club with after-school enrichment classes and summer camp programs for school-age children.

The center also provides separate lounge areas for adults and children.  The lounges include flat screen televisions to watch movies and educational programs, and library nooks filled with self-help books and other educational reading materials. 

The parks program partners for the development included Monestime; LHOC; Odebrecht Construction (for construction project coordinator, architectural plans and  computers); Home Depot (construction materials, labor, kitchen); Lotspeich (walls and ceilings); Dynaelectric (power and data); Commercial Industrial Construction-CIC (carpentry; Creative Terrazo (flooring); and Advanced Computer Support (computer services).

The cost to complete the building renovations and improvements was $47, 800. The LHOC Community Tech and Youth Center at Soar Park is in need of program partners.  To become a program partner, donate, and/or volunteer call 305-390-0234 or email info@littlehaitioptimist.org. For more information about recreational programs and activities offered at Soar Park, visit miamidade.gov/parks or call 305-756-4165 (Oak Grove Park). To learn more about the Little Haiti Optimist Club, visit littlehaitioptimist.org or call 305-390-0234.