Published: September 29, 2008 10:17 pm         

Commission, sheriff’s department donate car, computers to center

Harry Keaton, acting director of the Lillian James Learning Center, says one of the greatest barriers for someone seeking employment is lack of transportation.

“Getting a job is one thing, and then being able to get to the job is another issue itself,” Keaton said.

Monday, officials with the Raleigh County Commission and the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department were at the learning center to donate a 1999 Crown Victoria car and a couple of older model computers.

“This will assist the center with its drivers’ training program,” said Raleigh County Commission President Pat Reed. “Students that qualify can take driver’s education and get their certificate. It was a win-win situation for everyone.”

Reed said the car had logged too many miles and could no longer be used for patrols.

“It’s a perfect fit for the learning center’s program, however,” Reed said.

Chief Deputy Steve Tanner of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department said the donation is the best use of taxpayers’ money.

“When you can give something back to the community that helps children and others in the job market, it’s always the right thing to do,” he said.

Tanner said old vehicles used to be junked if they could not be auctioned off.

“This is just a much better use for them instead of just junking them,” he said.

In addition to the old police cruiser, the county donated a couple of computers as well.

“Shaun Hale, head of the county’s information and technical division, used his own time to fix the computers for the center to use,” Reed said. “We are happy the learning center can use these things for learning and helping those with developmental disabilities that we can’t use any longer.”

Students will put the computers to use in the classroom.

The Lillian James Learning Center is located on Dove Street in Crab Orchard. The center trains individuals for jobs, does work evaluation and teaches daily living skills for those age 16 years and older with developmental disabilities.

“The donation of this vehicle will make it so that one of those barriers to employment is eliminated by teaching someone the skills they need to get their driver’s license,” Keaton said.

He said the program is also being offered to Christian and private schools as well.

The center prepares kids for the workforce through life skills classes, workshops and community based learning.

Keaton says the donation from the Sheriff’s Department and the county commission has saved the center roughly $12,000.

For more information about the driving program, call the center at 304-253-8913.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com