Pocono News Section

Newberry Estates Community Celebration

Newberry Estates Community Celebration - Friday, August 8, 2008 at 5:03PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday, Aug 8, 2008 @ 05:03pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

Providing resources and producing results were the goals at a community celebration today in Williamsport.

The threat of rain couldn't keep neighbors away from the party. Dozens turned out to take advantage of free games, food, and information from local social service agencies.

Newberry Estates is one of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Network Centers. As such, they provide free access to computer technology, resources, and job training for the people who live here.

Keith Wilton, of Newberry Estates, said, "We get to go over there and get on the computers. They have parks for us to play on, swings, and a whole bunch of other things." Mary Stewart, also of Newberry Estates, added, "The kids like to come over in the library and I have an older son that likes the computers. It's really nice."

Newberry Estates Property Manager Shannon Nappi explained, "We wanted to celebrate everything we have to offer by bringing out different agencies so we can introduce people in the community to all the resources that are out there and available to them."

In addition to computer access and library materials, plenty of other programs are also offered to the people here at Newberry Estates. Stewart noted, "My daughter is going to start the Girl Scouts here at the community center. She just found out she's finally old enough. They do all kinds of nice stuff like this."

But they don't only look out for themselves. A food drive was also held at the celebration to help the less fortunate all around Central Pennsylvania. Nappi added, "People were very thankful for the opportunity and I think they feel really good at the opportunity to give back by donating their food to somebody who might need it in the future."

Neighborhood Network Centers were established in 1995. Newberry Estates is just one of several hundred throughout the nation.