Mavs Foundation dedicates new computer lab, learning center
by: Brian Feldt

The kids of the Arlington Boys & Girls Club were treated to an unexpected surprise Friday afternoon when Rolando Blackman was on hand to dedicate a new computer lab and learning center.

Blackman, a former Mavs player who has his number retired in the rafters of the American Airlines Center, awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Arlington with a new learning center as one of four special projects given out annually by the Dallas Mavericks Foundation.

As part of the project, the Mavs Foundation teamed up with Office Expo and ICI Paints to provide the club with 14 state of the art computers and related equipment, an internet server, a network printer, new desks and computer chairs and a complete renovation of a room that used to be used as a kitchen.

Blackman said he is always happy to help out in any occasion that benefits children and was especially happy to provide the prospect of improving their education.

“Coming together for an event like this is special,” said Blackman. “It is a chance to give kids a place that is fun to learn and is safe – a chance for them to better themselves. I think about it and it is something I love to do personally.”

After the dedication, which also featured the Boys & Girls Club president Steve Wurm, Blackman presented the club with a framed Dirk Nowitzki jersey.

“This was a total team effort,” Wurm said. “When you give kids this kind of gift it brightens them up, which in turn brightens the community.”

Upon cutting the ribbon to officially open the new learning center, Blackman wasted no time in helping kids cruise the internet, with frequent stops to the Mavs record book page, quickly noting the career scoring leader in a Mavs jersey was himself.

After a few kids asked why Nowitzki is not the career scoring leader, Blackman quickly conceded the eventual surrender of his record with a smile.

“Anytime you empower a kid you better the kid and better the community,” Blackman said. “To come into a situation like this and have people that realize what is needed to be done is really special and we are excited to give this to them.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Arlington services 800 youth annually, ages 6-18 in Arlington and Mansfield and will use the new learning center to expand their educational programming into the realms of internet safety, basic computer skills, job and career search and digital arts.

Wurm said the club feels fortunate to have such developed computers, which are ideally out of the members’ price range.

“One thing, when it comes to technology, is that those who are the least fortunate with money tend to have the least access to the new and developing technology,” Wurm said during the dedication. “We are really excited about this because it is giving these kids the opportunity to learn with new technology.”

The ceremony was the sixth Mavs Reading & Learning Center in the Mavs Foundation’s existence. Last season’s center was created at Buckner/Vickery Wellness Center, while previous year’s centers were located at Interfaith Housing Coalition, the West Dallas Boys & Girls Club, the Mesquite Boys & Girls Club and Bryan’s House.