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Newsworthy Developments
Canyon Rim Learning
Center
Celebrates New Literacy Program
 July,
2002 Ė Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation celebrated the opening of
a community literacy center that is part of the Canyon Rim Apartments learning
center. Attending the celebration
were San Diego City Councilman Scott Peters, 60 children from the apartments and
Los Penasquitos Elementary School, Wakeland Housing, Fairfield Properties and
members of the community.
 Canyon
Rim Apartments is a 504-unit affordable housing project located in the
Penasquitos area of San Diego. The
property was purchased three years ago by San Diego-based Farifield Residential
LLC and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation. Fairfield and Wakeland
invested over $7 million in renovating the units along with building the Canyon
Rim Learning and Literacy Center. Fairfield and Wakeland also provided funds for
purchasing computers and setting-up and operating the learning center. This
well-maintained, attractive project is managed by Fairfield Properties.
The center is a Neighborhood Networks site, so designated by the U.S.
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
 The
idea for adding literacy programs to the learning center originated with Cindy
Marten, a literacy specialist at Los Penasquitos Elementary School.
Marten noticed that her students were not performing at the same reading
levels after summer vacation. She
approached Joan Pelkey, Wakelands director of resident services, who agreed
that youth and adults utilizing center programs needed higher levels of reading
to move to higher levels of academic achievement and job development.
They decided to look for funds to open a summer literacy program for
youth that would evolve into a family literacy center during the first year of
operation. Wakeland immediately committed $1,000 from its general fund to
purchase books and supplies for the center.
"Wakeland
is grateful for the tremendous support we received from many community members
to make this literacy program a reality," said
Ken Sauder
, executive director of
Wakeland. "The literacy program, along with the after-school and sports
programs and computer classes already offered
make the center a unique place of learning and opportunity for the residents of
Canyon Rim Apartments."
With
the learning center programs already underway, Marten approached councilman
Peters for financial assistance. He
and his staff responded with $8,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding
to purchase books and supplies to start the Summer Reading and Literacy Program.
Through Marten, Pelkey and the councilmans district office, Wakeland
also received funds from the Penasquitos Town Council and services and products
from local businesses such as The Container Store, Rancho Penasquitos Kinkos and
PETCO. Pledges of support came from
San Diego READS, the San Diego Library Department along with an outpouring of
community residents willing to volunteer for tutoring and story times.
 During
the grand opening celebration, councilman Peters read a book to children and
presented a resolution
from the San Diego City Council deeming July 26, 2002 Canyon Rim Learning and
Literacy Center Day in San Diego.
"I
am so proud to be a part of this effort," said Peters. "There is no greater
gift we can give these children than the pleasure of being able to read stories.
Strong reading skills unlock a universe of possibilities for children and
thats why establishing this center is so important."
The
literacy center is exemplary of Wakelands resident services programs, which
reach out to youth through after-school programs that provide positive
alternatives and strong role models. Adult
programs in learning centers strive to provide residents with practical skills
in computers and literacy that will increase their financial stability.
   
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Thank you to
Councilman Scott Peters, District 1
The
literacy program was made possible by an $8,000 Community Development Block
Grant secured by Councilman Peters.
"Wakeland
is grateful for the tremendous support we received from many community
members to make this literacy center a reality. It contributes to a unique
place of learning and opportunity for the residents of Canyon Rim
Apartments."
Ken Sauder
,
Executive Director
Wakeland Housing & Development
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