In Hartford
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Center Sparks Tech Learning
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To say “I want to learn how to do that” takes strength and turns the key to ignite the power of education.
The ability to access information using computers is something many people take for granted. To be able to use a computer to tap its potential? Well, that must be learned, hands on, with equipment that works well and reinforced with dollops of guidance.
The new Salvation Army-Comcast Technology Center in Hartford just unveiled its state-of-the-art computers, software and Internet access for families in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.
The education center was possible by a $25,000 grant from Comcast in conjunction with the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Foundation, an organization of cable-industry executives whose goal is to create better opportunities for technology education in the community to help close the “Digital Divide.”
“Comcast is committed to improving and investing in the communities we serve,” said Tony Speller, vice president, Comcast, Connecticut/Western Massachusetts region.
“One our goals is to help our neighborhood families become more independent and more self-sufficient,” said Major William Bamford, Salvation Army divisional commander for Southern New England.
The Salvation Army Family Resource Center in Hartford will provide much needed access to technology, education and resources to a variety of people in the neighborhood, including seniors from The Salvation Army Senior Center, young women in the Girls, Inc. program, and the youngsters and their parents from The Salvation Army School Readiness Center.
"When two great organizations like The Salvation Army and Comcast team up, the whole neighborhood benefits. Working together, we can reduce the digital divide for everyone," said Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez. He thanked The Salvation Army for "all the good work that they do throughout the city," and also thanked Comcast for "providing the funds to make the new computer center possible."
Lessons to help the public take advantage of these tools, from keyboarding to utilizing e-mail and surfing the Internet, will be offered to people of all ages and abilities.
The center is located at The Right Place, 123 Sigourney St., Hartford.
Resources:
The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) believes that working at community levels can create change across the globe. Members span the communication industry from cable operators, programmers, hardware suppliers, telecommunication and new media professionals to entrepreneurs and executives. NAMIC regional chapters include Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Detroit, mid-Atlantic, New England, New York, central Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Miami, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Francisco Bay Area, southern California, St. Louis, and western Pennsylvania. The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is offered by NAMIC in partnership with UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management. For information or membership call (212) 594-5985; address is NAMIC, Inc., 336 W. 37th St. Suite 302, New York, NY 10018.
The Southern New England Division of The Salvation Army serves Connecticut and Rhode Island from its location at 855 Asylum Ave., Hartford, Conn. For information about the center or other programs available call (860) 543-8400.
Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation, which provides cable, entertainment and communications products and services. Comcast’s Northern Division serves 2.8 million customers in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia. The division is based in Manchester, New Hampshire and employs more than 7,000 people.
To learn more about Hartford’s educational initiatives or neighborhood/community economic development opportunities, contact the Office of the Mayor Eddie Perez, located at 550 Main St. Hartford, (860) 543-8500. Web site is www.hartford.gov; visitors can learn more about events and culture at www.hartford.com.
