A Rich History of Helping Residents
The Laguna Woods Village PC Club was started way back in 1984 by Al Bloom. Back then, it was a small group of volunteer supervisors helping users in the computer room in Clubhouse 1. Meetings were casual, often held in members’ homes. Fast forward to 1996, the club began offering six-week sessions of basic computer classes on Works for Windows, with a whopping 150 people signing up! They even created a study guide to help residents get the most out of their classes.
By 1998, the club had grown significantly and moved to a new annex building next to Clubhouse II. This expansion allowed for a dedicated PC Workshop and Learning Center. New courses were introduced, covering intermediate skills, spreadsheets, digital imaging, and internet use. The club’s popularity continued to soar, with more sessions and increased class sizes to meet the growing demand.
A Home for Tech Enthusiasts
In 2002, the club found its permanent home in the Community Administration Center. Here, they took full responsibility for managing and operating their facilities, upgrading and maintaining equipment, and even expanded their class sizes to 20 students and workshop computers to 32. Thanks to the dedication of the volunteers and the support from club funds, they’ve made numerous improvements to both computer equipment and furniture.
A Non-Profit with a Mission
The PC Club is a non-profit organization that thrives on volunteer support. Their mission is simple yet impactful: to assist, teach, and inform residents on how to get the most productive and enjoyable use from their computers. They offer a wide variety of classes tailored to the needs and interests of the community. From basic computer skills to more advanced topics like digital photography and internet navigation, there’s something for everyone.
Meet Justin Webb
One of the club’s early champions was Justin Webb. He was a hands-on wizard who not only maintained the computers but also taught Photoshop and used his business acumen to help guide the club and secure funding. Sadly, Justin passed away in 2004 due to a terminal pulmonary disease. In his honor, the Learning Center was named after him, and his contributions continue to inspire the club’s operations and improvements.
Modern Facilities and Community Spirit
Today, the PC Club boasts a state-of-the-art facility on the third floor of the Community Center. The Learning Center is equipped with all the latest technology, including a ceiling-mounted projector, custom student desks, and a comprehensive AV setup for teachers. These enhancements have allowed the club to offer a broader range of classes and accommodate more students than ever before.
Why Join the PC Club?
The PC Club isn’t just about classes and workshops; it’s a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts who love to share their knowledge and help each other out. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue with your laptop, learning to navigate a new app, or simply looking to make new friends with similar interests, the PC Club is the place to be.
How to Get Involved
Interested in joining? It’s easy! The club welcomes all Laguna Woods residents and their guests. They rely on annual memberships, class fees, and donations to keep their operations running smoothly and maintain their top-notch facilities.
For more information about the PC Club, their classes, and how to join, visit PC Club Website.
So, next time you’re looking to brush up on your tech skills or just want to be part of a friendly and knowledgeable community, check out the PC Club. It’s one of the finest senior tech facilities in the country, right here in our very own Laguna Woods Village. Happy computing!
What an inspiring history and mission! It’s amazing to see how the Laguna Woods Village PC Club has grown and adapted over the years. The dedication of the volunteers and the resources they offer is truly commendable. I’m definitely planning to check out the club and maybe even join a few classes. Kudos to everyone involved!