|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
||
 |
|
On Tuesday Elias Suarez, a sophomore cello-major from Houston, worked with two recent graduates of the week-long program called My First Computer Day Camp, which introduced kindergartners to computers. At the Bridge, when children's attention span for computer use wanes, they have opportunities to engage in other activities, like drawing. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LIZ FOX
|
The Bridge Is Open; Digital Divide Begins to Dissolve
Shirley Owens, a new computer
user, was checking out the web Tuesday.
College and Community Volunteers Come Together to Bridge the Digital Divide
AUGUST 23, 2000--The Bridge, Oberlin’s new community computer center began holding open hours this week. Current hours are 3 to 5 P.M., but may expand later, say members of the Oberlin Technology Committee (OTC), which created the center.
Encouraged by considerable local interest and aided by $92,500 in grants the center will receive this year--$67,500 from the Nord Family Foundation, $15,000 from the Nordson Corporation Foundation, and $10,000 from the Stocker Foundation--activities at the center are beginning to take shape.
Besides holding a computer camp for local kids early in July and acquiring additional furniture, the center has developed a program with the Boys and Girls Club of Oberlin that is bringing some 12 young people to the Bridge each Friday during August to use the computers and do related activities.
Students and tutors in the Oberlin Community Services' Summer Math Proficiency Workshop are making use of the computers at the center, which is also collaborating on programs with the Oberlin Public Schools and the Oberlin Public Library.
OTC member Steve Hammond says that initial discussions have begun with Oberlin Seniors Citizens and the Oberlin Early Childhood Center and interest has been expressed in making use of the Bridge by GED (General Education Diploma--high-school equivalency) instructors and the African-American genealogy group, among several other groups in town.
In September the Nordson Corporation will sponsor a computer-introduction workshop at the Bridge for several women completing a drug-rehabilitation program as part of the United Way's Caring Day event.
Early fall programming may include introductory computer classes for seniors, office-applications classes for adults, and after-school drop-in hours for school-age people, in cooperation also with the Boys and Girls Club.
Thanks to the efforts of paid staff, volunteers, and OTC members, the Bridge is supporting the current programs while implementing a search for an executive director. "We hope to be able to offer a position by September 1," says Hammond.
Present staff includes Paul Pitcher ’00 and Kerry Lowe ’99, AmeriCorps workers based at Oberlin Community Services. Two work-study students are also on hand.
Please send comments, questions, and suggestions about Oberlin Online news and feature articles to online.news@oberlin.edu.
