Computer centers bring new technology into neighborhoods

Computer centers bring new technology into neighborhoods
From Vision, Volume 5, Number 22, November 17, 1997

The technological revolution has left some people behind. Fear of the new and unknown has caused more than a few people to shy away from computers, but far greater stumbling blocks to computer literacy are expense and lack of access.

The latter problems are ones that Ameritech and the Ohio Community Computer Network, a group of service and local development agencies, are hoping to solve with the establishment of 14 community computer centers throughout the state. The third center, the West Side Community Computer Center, recently opened in Cleveland.

The centers are open to all residents of each community and will provide an introduction to computers for people who might otherwise not have access to them.

At the center opening, Cleveland Mayor Michael White said, “As each resident young and old alike, takes advantage of the many beneficial services and programs that are offered at these centers, their quality of life and the opportunities available to them will improve as they learn and expand their interests in the computer age.”

Each of the centers operates with a $150,000 grant provided by Ameritech to be used over a three-year period. Although Ameritech is providing the financial backbone for the enterprise, a total of $2.2 million as part of our 1995 Advantage Ohio alternative regulation settlement, each center is being made possible through an alliance between business and community service groups.

According to Gladys Harris, coordinator of the computer lab at Cleveland’s Friendly Inn Settlement, another of the centers funded under Advantage Ohio, “The center has thus far attracted approximately 100 students a week, mostly from grades one through 12. Hopefully, more adults will be drawn to the center by the courses being offered in word processing, graphics, basic typing and the Internet.”

Permeil Dass, director of the Salvation Army Community Computer Center, which opened in Cleveland in October, said the center attracted mostly children in the first month of operation.

“But I anticipate that will change, especially now that a computer course is starting,” Dass said.

“It’s really great to see our contribution in action,” said Jackie Woods, president - Ameritech Ohio. “It’s one thing to talk about the goal of providing access to the information highway for everybody and it’s another to be part of making it a reality.”

Brian Fairbanks, contributing writer

© Copyright 1997-98 Ameritech