DAEOC turns offices into educational center

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. - Work is moving rapidly to transform the former Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation’s headquarters into an educational center to serve the needs of Southeast Missourians.

Remodeling is underway at the building located 99 Skyview Road, just south of the Portageville interchange.

“We will teach computer operations and applications, food safety handling, cooking on a low income, personal finance and job skills among other things,” said Joel Evans, chief executive officer for DAEOC.

DAEOC employees inspect the area where pipe work will be completed on the new bathrooms for DAEOC's new education center at Portageville. Both the men's and women's bathrooms will be ADA compliant when completed.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Already nearly complete are the 1,000-square-foot classroom and a 12-place computer lab which includes handicap accessible desks. Annie Murphy, who serves as the adult education coordinator, has moved into her office near the building’s entrance and offices are ready for Evans as well as the main office for student services and rooms which will be made available for employee interviews.

Two rooms are set aside to serve as the audio-video work room and production lab, complete with a green screen. Here, Evans said, the staff will be able to record content for classes along with training videos.

Last week, DAEOC employees, who are providing nearly all the construction services for the renovation, were preparing to place the plumbing for the American Disability Act compliant bathrooms. A room to serve as a five-station culinary lab was marked and awaiting construction.

Joel Evans, chief executive officer for the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corp., looks over the 1,000-square foot classroom which is part of the new education center being created by DAEOC at Portageville.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Also the building will house supportive services for students, who will primarily be low and moderate income individuals wishing to enhance their skills or train for new job opportunities. Evans said there will be a part-time clinical psychologist on staff along with other counseling services.

“Our students who come to learn will have the opportunity to access any of the DAEOC services as well as those wrap-around services that will be there,” he added.

Already the Portageville location hosts an Alcoholics Anonymous group.

Most of the work to renovate the former DAEOC offices into an education center was done by the DAEOC staff. In early April workers were completing the straightening and widening of the buildings hallway leading to the various offices and classrooms.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

According to Evans funding for the renovation was provided by a grant through the Department of Labor to address substance abuse issues in the workforce.

“The Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities federal grant is a new funding source for us. We have not applied directly to the DOL before, so we are excited to have this new relationship with DOL to be able to do this project,” Evans said.

Finally to complete the education center, greenhouses are scheduled to be delivered in July. Meanwhile DAEOC crews will rehabilitate a manufactured building for a workshop for the horticulture students.

Annie Murphy, DAEOC's adult education coordinator, works in her new office in the education center being created at Portageville. Murphy is currently working to get the word out about the many classes which will be offered beginning in August at the education center.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Currently DAEOC staff are working toward an open house in mid-July to give the public the opportunity to tour the facilities. Classes are slated to begin Aug. 2.

As adult education coordinator, Murphy is working with several companies across the Bootheel to provide specific training opportunities. Also she is trying to get the word out on social media about the many available educational opportunities as well as GED classes.

Overall, Evans said the local community is pleased by the transformation of the building to an educational center.

The former DAEOC Headquarters at Portageville is being turned into an educational center to meet the needs of adults throughout the region. Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

“We will be a regional asset that will bring learners into the community. People will be traveling here and the additional travel will mean fuel and food being consumed in the city,” he said.

However, he continued, the biggest benefit will be for those who take advantage of the learning opportunities available through the center.

“Improving the educational attainment level of an individual is the quickest path out of poverty. We are working to ensure we are pairing that with all the other resources we are able to provide to have a holistic approach to service delivery for our participants,” he said. “We are using every tool in the box to help move families and individuals to a higher income level and self-sufficiency.”

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For further information about classes or enrollment, contact Annie Murphy, adult education coordinator, at 573-379-3851, extension 128.