By Karen Washburn

Correspondent

The Salvation Army Suffolk Corps continues to further the mission of its new Robert W. Harrell Jr. Physical Health and Education Center with Parents’ Night Out, Zumba and computer classes.

The center held its first Parents’ Night Out on Friday. Music and food were available, and the Harbour View Chick-fil-A cow was on hand with games and other fun activities.

According to LaTasha Clark of the Salvation Army, the center hopes to host many more such evenings, with the next one already planned for Feb. 7 and billed as a pre-Valentine’s Day event. The goal of the event, Clark said, is to “give parents a fun night out.”

Also on the calendar are Zumba classes, scheduled to begin on Monday. The fitness craze based on Latin dance steps promises to be “more like a party than a workout,” and will be taught by certified instructor Elisa Gaillard, Clark said. Classes will be offered Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $5 per class or a monthly rate of $40.

“A lot of ladies have shown interest in the Zumba classes,” said Clark, and she is encouraging people to sign up early for health, fitness and nutrition classes when they are offered.

“People in the community are excited about their health and a lot of people are ready to learn about nutrition and for their children to be involved,” she added

Health and nutrition classes are among the new youth programs scheduled to begin in February, along with classes designed to help young people develop computer and study skills.

Computer classes, taught by Clark, will focus on literacy skills, while a study skills program uses homework assistance as a vehicle for teaching children how to develop good study habits. Health and nutrition classes will use fun activities to teach children to eat healthy foods and make other healthy lifestyle choices.

Computer classes for adults (taught by Keana Johnson) are also being offered, including beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Beginners will be introduced to basic computer skills and literacy designed to prepare them for the intermediate level. There, they will learn to access online resources such as city departments, banking and medical information.

The advanced class will enable participants to stay connected through virtual social communities, including those specifically serving the needs of seniors. The cost is $40 per four-week session.

“I believe these new computer classes will help people in this area acquire the basic skills needed to apply for a job and progress with the new technology,” said Clark. “We also have a lot of kids waiting for these youth programs to open up.”