HUD SECRETARY BEN CARSON DESIGNATES ENVISION CENTER IN ATLANTIC CITY

The RX5 Cyber EnVision Center will immediately create 300 new certified contact tracing jobs to collect critically important COVID-19 pandemic data.

           Atlantic City, New Jersey – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Dr. Ben Carson, officially designated the RX5 Cyber Center as the newest EnVision Center in New Jersey. The designation came after months of assessments of local needs and services for underserved residents in Atlantic City.

EnVision Centers, created by Secretary Carson, are centralized hubs that provide residents with the resources needed to excel and access support under the following four pillars: Economic Empowerment, Educational Advancement, Health and Wellness; and Character and Leadership. The EnVision Centers initiative is premised on the notion that financial support alone is insufficient to solve the problem of poverty. Intentional and collective efforts across a diverse set of organizations are needed to empower households to self-sufficiency.

       “The designation of the RX5 Cyber EnVision Center represents a huge leap towards economic opportunity for Atlantic City residents that are looking to expand skills that can empower them to financial independence,” said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “I look forward to working with the EnVision Center team to bring federal partners and area stakeholders that can help residents open doors towards self-sufficiency.”

The driving force behind the RX5 Cyber EnVision Center is James Whitehead, Co-Founder and President of U.S. HART, and Director of RX5 Cyber Data Call Center, located at 3317 Atlantic Avenue. The location is a 2000 sq. ft. office space located in an Opportunity Zone and designed as COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) workspace. The RX5 Cyber EnVision Center will immediately create 300 new certified contact tracing jobs to collect critically important COVID-19 pandemic data.

“There is a dire need for jobs and job training in Atlantic City. The RX5 Cyber EnVision Center strategically partnered with Millennium Technologies, DELL Technologies, iAbra, Intel, and CohnReznick, to provide jobs and tools that will bolster opportunities for area residents,” said James Whitehead, Director, RX5 Cyber EnVision Center. “These partners will also provide emergency disaster “prepare, respond, recover” solutions, integrating call center data collection jobs with proven data science technologies. Congratulations Atlantic City for taking the lead to help America heal!”

The RX5 Cyber EnVision Center will also offer workforce training, preparation for GED, youth field trips, and COVID-19 emergency food distribution for unemployed residents.   COVID-19 PPE distribution will be available to economically disadvantaged communities. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

“This program not only brings much-needed jobs, job training, and economic activity to Atlantic City, it also serves as an integral solution to some of the pressing issues caused by Coronavirus,” said Congressman Jeff Van Drew, (NJ-02). “Thank you to Secretary Carson and HUD for implementing this program, and I look forward to the success this will enable in South Jersey.”

           “I am committed to supporting and working with Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, HUD Region II Administrator Lynne Patton, and Millennium Technologies President Jimmy Whitehead on Atlantic City’s RX5 Cyber EnVision Center workforce training program,” said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr.  “Mr. Whitehead has been advocating for and creating America’s first Cyber Triangle, which includes RX5 cybersecurity workforce training in our great city of Atlantic City for several years now. It’s great to partner with the RX5 Cyber EnVision Center and bring these important data industry jobs to the greatest oceanfront city in America!”

EnVision Centers in New York and New Jersey are procured and organized by Barbara Gruson, HUD Region II EnVision Center Lead. Barbara connects EnVision Centers to federal partners and local community leaders, to ensure that area residents have access to federal programs and services.

“I am thrilled that Secretary Carson recognized that the RX5 Cyber Center and HUD can measurably improve the quality of life of underserved Atlantic City residents,” said Barbara Gruson, HUD Region II EnVision Center Lead. “I will work closely with RX5 Cyber EnVision Center partners to facilitate connections that will bring the Four Pillars: Economic Empowerment, Educational Advancement, Health and Wellness; and Character and Leadership to area residents.”

Community leaders, area stakeholders, and support organizations that assist low and moderate income families are essential to EnVision Centers because they are the eyes and ears of their communities and are aware of resident needs. HUD provides guidance and resources, rounding up other federal partners that can work together to improve the lives of the residents of Atlantic City.

Atlantic City Police Lieutenant Wilber Santiago stated, “Atlantic City’s Police Athletic League (PAL) is very excited about the Atlantic City RX5 Cyber EnVision Center Makerspace youth STEM, 3D printing, and Drone program, which will introduce Atlantic City students to new technologies and help prepare them for America’s future workforce opportunities.”

Currently, there are 77 EnVision Centers in the United States, and over 20 are in the works. The Atlantic City site is the third in HUD Region II, which encompasses New York and New Jersey, and the second one in New Jersey. EnVision Centers have brought together 22 federal partners like the Department of Education and the Department of Health to assist local residents, and 9 national non-profit organizations. EnVision Center services and resources are tailored around community need.

“After overcoming difficult life challenges, it’s amazing to have an opportunity to mentor others at the wonderful Atlantic City RX5 Cyber EnVision Center.  Only in America can someone like me and my mentor Floyd Mayweather  achieve success by working hard,” said Paul Bonds, representative for boxing icon Floyd Mayweather.  “The RX5 Cyber EnVision Center grew out of the March 2020 Atlantic City Opportunity Zone Black Capitalism Summit, when I had the honor to receive the U.S. HART Humanitarian Eagle Award on behalf of Floyd Mayweather.  Floyd’s phrase “do good while doing well” resonated with the RX5 Call Center, and it was adopted as ‘Helping the world become a better and safer place’.  Thank you Champ for your inspiration  and friendship.  God bless America!”

According to the American Community Survey, 37.7% of Atlantic City’s 37,743 residents live in poverty. Area Median Income is $27,786, while income per capita is $19,924. City residents need jobs and job training, and an EnVision Center can assist in closing the gap for many in search of jobs that need a hand up.

The Atlantic City RX5 Cyber EnVision Center’s grand opening is scheduled for November 2020.

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