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Sen. Ritchie secures $150,000 grant to keep Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club computer lab off chopping block

Posted 7/9/13

Senator Patty Ritchie, Attain Lab Director Sarah Belisle, and members of the Boys and Girls Club of Ogdensburg. OGDENSBURG -- State Sen. Patty Ritchie has secured a $150,000 state grant to keep the …

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Sen. Ritchie secures $150,000 grant to keep Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club computer lab off chopping block

Posted

Senator Patty Ritchie, Attain Lab Director Sarah Belisle, and members of the Boys and Girls Club of Ogdensburg.

OGDENSBURG -- State Sen. Patty Ritchie has secured a $150,000 state grant to keep the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club computer technology lab open after it had been placed on a “hit list” of centers slated for closure.

The SUNY-run Advanced Training Technology and Information Network (Attain) Lab provides 15 computer stations and technology staff in partnership with the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club.

The Attain Lab provides academic, occupational and computer literacy training for both adults and children in cooperation with SUNY. The Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club houses the computer center.

“The Attain Lab has helped countless adults obtain their GED diploma,” Ritchie said. “It has helped others obtain computer skills they need to reenter the job market.”

Earlier this year, SUNY had targeted the Ogdensburg Attain center for closure, but Senator Ritchie’s grant will keep the facility operating.

“When we heard the SUNY Attain Lab was being considered for closure, we asked Senator Ritchie to make our case to the state,” said Ogdensburg City Manager John Pinkerton, a longtime member of the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club. “A small community like Ogdensburg needs a place where adults can improve their technology skills if we want to be able to attract new businesses and help them compete for jobs.”

“What’s great about this lab and the people who run this center is it allows people to learn at their own pace. That’s really important for adults who are often intimidated by computers and technology,” Ritchie said. “But what impressed me the most, and the reason why I was so happy to go to bat to make sure this center continues serving this community is the unique partnership we have here with the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club.”