Students enjoy new computer lab at CYO in Trenton

July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Students enjoy new computer lab at CYO in Trenton
Students enjoy new computer lab at CYO in Trenton


By David Kilby | Correspondent

The Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County held a ribbon cutting and grand opening  ceremony to celebrate its brand new student computer lab at its South Broad Street, Trenton, location Jan. 28.

Click here to see photo gallery on this story.

The $30,000 renovation includes 14 new Dell flat-panel computers with updated educational software and games, as well as headsets, new lighting and flooring, new desks, chairs, two all-in-one printers and fresh paint.

The lab is the first After-School Advantage computer lab built by NorthStar NJ, a management services company which provides sales and marketing support to the New Jersey Lottery, and an affiliate of GTECH Corporation, a technology provider.

“The transformation of this (computer lab) in our 90-year-old building is truly impressive!” said Tom Mladenetz, CYO executive director. “It will serve hundreds of Trenton school students who attend the CYO After-School Program and Summer REC Camp…. Many of these families do not have computers in their homes. This project sends such a strong, positive message to these young people. It tells them that socially responsible companies want them to have a safe place to learn and succeed.”

He added that the CYO is blessed to have many partnerships in the public and private sectors, as well as individual donors that help to make accomplishments like this possible.

Northstar NJ’s CEO, Gordon Medenica, shared his gratitude for this opportunity.

“Northstar NJ appreciates the help and cooperation we received from local officials, State Legislators, business people and community leaders who share the common goal of bringing computer technology to – our students,” he said.

Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive director of Catholic Social Services, led a prayer the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“We delight in the renovation of this space,” she prayed, saying that, for the children of CYO, the new lab will “brighten their vision of possibilities for their future.”

Northstar NJ’s After School Advantage Program, which began in 1999, is a global community investment program which provides qualifying non-profit community agencies and public schools with state-of-the-art computer labs. These computer centers are designed to provide urban children aged five to 15 with a meaningful, yet fun, learning experience during the critical after-school hours, in a safe environment, said Sarah Brennan, NorthStar NJ’s director of corporate affairs.

“By applying our knowledge and expertise to this type of program Northstar NJ hopes to increase children’s interest in careers in computers and provide them with the necessary tools to help them become more competitive in school and in today’s job market,” Brennan said.

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By David Kilby | Correspondent

The Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County held a ribbon cutting and grand opening  ceremony to celebrate its brand new student computer lab at its South Broad Street, Trenton, location Jan. 28.

Click here to see photo gallery on this story.

The $30,000 renovation includes 14 new Dell flat-panel computers with updated educational software and games, as well as headsets, new lighting and flooring, new desks, chairs, two all-in-one printers and fresh paint.

The lab is the first After-School Advantage computer lab built by NorthStar NJ, a management services company which provides sales and marketing support to the New Jersey Lottery, and an affiliate of GTECH Corporation, a technology provider.

“The transformation of this (computer lab) in our 90-year-old building is truly impressive!” said Tom Mladenetz, CYO executive director. “It will serve hundreds of Trenton school students who attend the CYO After-School Program and Summer REC Camp…. Many of these families do not have computers in their homes. This project sends such a strong, positive message to these young people. It tells them that socially responsible companies want them to have a safe place to learn and succeed.”

He added that the CYO is blessed to have many partnerships in the public and private sectors, as well as individual donors that help to make accomplishments like this possible.

Northstar NJ’s CEO, Gordon Medenica, shared his gratitude for this opportunity.

“Northstar NJ appreciates the help and cooperation we received from local officials, State Legislators, business people and community leaders who share the common goal of bringing computer technology to – our students,” he said.

Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive director of Catholic Social Services, led a prayer the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“We delight in the renovation of this space,” she prayed, saying that, for the children of CYO, the new lab will “brighten their vision of possibilities for their future.”

Northstar NJ’s After School Advantage Program, which began in 1999, is a global community investment program which provides qualifying non-profit community agencies and public schools with state-of-the-art computer labs. These computer centers are designed to provide urban children aged five to 15 with a meaningful, yet fun, learning experience during the critical after-school hours, in a safe environment, said Sarah Brennan, NorthStar NJ’s director of corporate affairs.

“By applying our knowledge and expertise to this type of program Northstar NJ hopes to increase children’s interest in careers in computers and provide them with the necessary tools to help them become more competitive in school and in today’s job market,” Brennan said.

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