A BRIEF HERSTORY OF THE CLINCHCO CENTER (click on images for more)   "WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM" Alliance organizes first-ever Anti-racism Event in Dickenson County in 1999     YOUNG WOMEN'S CIRCLE organizes itself and institutes annual BLACK HER/HISTORY CELEBRATION (1999-present)      Circle offers UNDERSTANDING RACE AND CLASS IN APPALACHIA workshop (2001)        Circlc reaches out to white community by organizing 2003  POOR PEOPLE'S MARCH FOR ECONOMIC HUMAN RIGHTS       CLINCHCO CENTER opens its doors (2004)   The Clinchco Center welcomes visitors, workgroups, and volunteer interns. To learn more, contact us.

P.O. BOX 688 * FLOYD, VIRGINIA * (276) 835-1211 * AWA@swva.net WELCOME TO THE CLINCHCO CENTER   The Clinchco Center is a visible link between the black and white communities in Dickenson County, Virginia. Its mission is to provide a resource for education, skill development, creative expression, and social interaction for Clinchco and surrounding communities.   SUMMER PROJECT -- TOWN MURAL  The Clinchco Center brought all segments of the community together with its summer mural project. To paint the 150 foot wall with scenes from Clinchco past and present, the entire town had to get involved. Partners included the Fire Department, the Town Council, the Board of Supervisors, local Churches, merchants and residents. But the kids are the ones who really did the work. (tell me more)   **** VOTER EDUCATION PROJECT   The center is working to educate the community on the importance of voting and being involved in the town council and local politics. "We want to get more women involved in the political world by starting in their own community. We want women on more committees and in more positions, and as many women as possible involved within their community to voice their opinion and make changes." The center spent a lot of time registering and helping people in the Clinchco community to vote in the last presidential election. Coraline Norris, 54 years old, voted for the first time. Says Coraline, "I ain't never did it before. I was never interested because they (elected officials) don't do anything noways. But I guess even if you don't get anywhere, at least you can say you voted." Coraline will vote in upcoming elections and the center will be working to encourage others to do so as well. (tell me more) Coraline Norris votes for the first time Martha Venatoe now attends Town Council meetings **** COMPUTER CLASSES Kisha Milgram checks out the newest equipment. One of the specific requests that the women at the Center made was to learn how to use computers. "Most of the women had never used a computer before and when the classes started, they didn't even know how to turn them on," said Jennifer Mock, a member of the Young Women's Alliance and the computer class teacher. So Jennifer started out by explaining very basic parts of the computer. Then, the women started to practice typing with the Mavis Beacon typing program. Right now the center has five computers, but they are hoping for more, so more women can participate. Jennifer would also like to get new and different equipment so she can begin to teach some advanced techniques. (tell me more) **** AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING   Javon Mickens has been coming to the Clinchco Center for tutoring since it first opened. He brings his reading, worksheets, and spelling words everyday. Peggy Mickens, Javon's mother, told us that since he began coming to the center, " Javon's spelling and English scores went up 150%. We thought he was going to fail until he came to the center. Now he can read, and they told him the other day he was going into third grade!" Javon's teacher, Ms. Count, agrees, "Javon had no problem meeting the standards for SOL's and is now reading at a third grade level. His reading has improved dramatically over the year." Ms. Count says she would recommend the center as a way for kids to get the extra help they need. "Anything that can help a student is beneficial." Javon Mickens (with his dad Craig Mickens)earns Most Improved Student certificatein his second grade class

 

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