THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604050200
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Business
SOURCE: BY MARGO M. MATEAS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
B.J. Ricks has a dream: Help children gain the skills and training they need to make a future in the computer generation.
Ricks, owner of Suffolk Formal Bridal, plans to open an art gallery to support a computer training program for children.
The BJ Lee Gallery of Arts, to have opened Saturday, will feature oils and prints from local and national artists, in addition to the work of floral designers, photographers and videographers. The gallery, which will also carry gifts and collectibles, will be in the Brewer Building, 156 W. Washington St. - a few doors down from Ricks' downtown bridal store. She hopes to have the computer training facility operational by early 1997.
Ricks said she was motivated to start the ``compu-tutoring'' center by a desire to help young people gain the direction they need to make good choices for themselves.
``I see such a void in young people today,'' she said. ``So many of them are reaching for something that isn't there. Parents are often too busy to provide guidance and direction for their children, but someone needs to be there.''
She said, ``I see this center as a way for children who can't afford a computer of their own to learn about computers, but also as a way to bring children together in a structured, nurturing environment where they have access to adults who will offer them guidance and positive attention.''
The tutoring will take place in a library setting, Ricks said, with a secondary goal of encouraging children to read more.
The gallery also may open a small book store toward the goal of making reading more accessible to the young people who use the computer tutoring services.
The gallery will be acting as a branch of Save Our Children, a local organization founded by Ricks in October of last year. The organization has applied for full nonprofit status with the federal government, Ricks said, and is awaiting its final documentation.
Ricks sees the gallery as an extension of her work as a bridal consultant.
``In this business, we are a one-stop shop. Everything we need for the bride and groom is at our fingertips, so they can relax and let us handle it.
``We are helping to bring together children and the training they need to learn the ins, outs, hows and whys of computers. If today's children don't learn computers, they are going to be left out.''
Ricks is no stranger to the unique world of children and teens. Every year, she sponsors a pre-prom event that gives teens free limousine rides, and offers prom dress discounts and discounted tuxedo rental packages in addition to providing four to six couples a free limousine for prom night ``as a way of giving back'' for the referrals she receives during the year.
``Everything I do in this business is from the heart,'' she said. ``If I can be that one small spark of inspiration that helps someone to re-direct their path, then I have done my work.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
B.J. Ricks wants to help children gain the computer skills they'll
need.
by CNB