| The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. (GLCAC, Inc.)
through funding from the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) has established a
technology center at 350 Essex St. Lawrence MA. The center is equipped with 14 computer
stations that will be used for computer training and Internet access for GLCAC, Inc
employees, clients and general public. A voluntary computer survey was done with Head Start parents. Eighty parents responded as having interest in taking computer classes. Other points of interest were that only about 10% had computers at home and very few had Internet access. This information is supported by many national studies that document the increasing "Digital Divide". This refers to the widening gap of people who have access to computers and the Internet and those who do not. This population is typically low income and minority.
The opportunity to take computer classes was met with great interest and enthusiasm by the Head Start parents. A waiting list has already been started due to the high demand. Most of the parents who signed up for the classes were beginner computer users with little or no experience.
Students are already asking about taking more classes. Students who successful complete the 14-hour workshop series will be eligible to continue higher level computer training offered during the summer and fall. Plans are underway to expand training opportunities to other GLCAC, program clients such as WIC, ChildCare, Family Support, Spanish Program and CPC. |
A pilot
project has been started to provide 20 Head Start parents with Introduction to Computer
classes. Parents receive 14 hours of computer training in Microsoft Windows 98, Word 97
and Internet Explorer. 
