Allison Catalani | Mavs.com

Jason Kidd took a first step at his second chance to give back to the Dallas community by taking part in the dedication of a new computer lab at the Jeffries Street Learning Center in Fair Park on Wednesday.

“It’s having the opportunity to have fun, to learn, and when you have your friends and you’re learning, what better combination to have?” Kidd said.

The Mavs Foundation teamed with Office Expo and iwerk in creating a Mavs Reading and Learning Center at the Jeffries Street Learning Center. The new computer lab received cubicles from Office Expo and computer equipment from the Mavs Foundation. Technicians from iwerk installed the network and the computers.

“This technology is going to help limit the digital divide,” said Linda Walker, Founder and Executive Director of the Jeffries Street Learning Center. “This new computer lab will allow us to better see the opportunities in our own students. One day I envision students beginning kindergarten here and going all the way through college.”

The Jeffries Street Learning Center has provided educational programs for children, adults and senior citizens in South Dallas for 23 years. Kids of all ages can get after school help with homework and assistance in passing Texas standardized tests. Adults can get GED training while developing computer skills needed for jobs. Senior citizens also frequently gather to play bingo and learn how to use the Internet.

Kidd presented a plaque and framed jersey for the newly renovated facility before children, senior citizens and board members of the Center. He also participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and received a token of appreciation from some of the children, a colorful painting of handprints symbolizing the Center’s family bond.

“My biggest thing is to be able to have the resources to give kids, our next generation, a chance,” Kidd said. “As much as they daydream in class about becoming a teacher or a police officer or a basketball player, all they need is the opportunity. When you have a center like this learning center, they’re ahead of the game.”

The learning center allows kids like Sheldon Williams and Aaron Lawrence to get ahead of the game. Both sixth graders have been attending classes at the Center since they were five years old and have continued to achieve high success in the classroom. As a reward for their good grades in school, Lawrence will be visiting the White House and Williams will travel to Atlanta later in the week.

“With the youth of today, they can help us move forward,” Kidd said. “It’s good to see the Jeffries Street Learning Center has that opportunity to partner up with kids. When you have a younger generation that can help the older generation and vice versa, I think this is a great partnership.”

Jason Kidd speaks to the folks at the Jeffries Street Center about why the computers are an important part of the kids' futures. Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images

The framed jersey. Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images

Jason with some of the kids who attend the Jeffries Street Center. Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images

Jason helps some kids navigate the web. Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images

Sheldon & Aaron present Jason with a thank you gift. Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images

About the Jeffries Street Learning Center:
The mission of the Jeffries Street Learning Center is to enhance the quality of life for residents of South Dallas and to break the cycle of poverty. The center started 22 years ago as a safe haven where children could get help with homework and learn computer skills after school. Now it provides programming for children year-round, as well as services to all ages in the surrounding neighborhoods. In the morning, adults get GED, literacy, and employment skills training, and seniors get together monthly for bingo and fellowship. For more information, visit www.jeffriesstreet.org.

About Office Expo:
Office Expo, a member of the TUSA-EXPO holdings family of companies, is one of the largest retail office furniture companies in the DFW Metroplex. Along with Office Expo’s related businesses, The Desk & Chair and Art Expo, the company provides a complete source for office furnishings to the home office, small professional offices and mid-market companies. Office Expo offers a unique blend of new and pre-owned office furniture, and has capabilities in every facet of office outfitting, including art consulting, voice and data cabling and network support and liquidation. Office Expo currently has two retail locations, Office Expo and The Desk & Chair, an auction center in Dallas, and a location in Longview, Texas. The company has plans to expand into additional Texas markets. For more information, visit www.officexpo.com.

About iwerk:
For over 17 years iwerk has been providing valuable services for its clients on time, on budget, with reliable and constantly available customer support. Its developers and technicians not only develop the software and build the networks, they understand why it’s needed and how it will contribute to a company’s bottom line. iwerk strives to become trusted partners for any company’s technology needs, by recognizing that trust is earned through hard work and follow-through. iwerk’s understanding of this concept has allowed it to form relationships that begin with a small assignment and grow into a long-lasting partnership. For more information, visit www.iwerk.com.