Bridging the digital divide; Winston-Salem church to open WinstonNet computer lab

Janis Walker is ready to become more digitally savvy. At Whole Man Ministries, a church on Old Lexington Road in southeastern Winston-Salem, Walker recently put herself on the list for an eight-week basic computer course. "My grandsons have a touch-screen phone and they've showed it to me. I have some computer skills, but I haven't been around them for 10 years, and I want to refresh myself," said Walker, 63. That's the idea, said Kenneth Holly, a minister at the church.

The church's Bridging the Gap Community Center is accepting up to 25 people such as Walker for the basic computer course. The start date has not been set, but the course will begin next month, Holly said. Participants who complete the course will be eligible to buy a computer for as little as $25. Read more.

The program is part of an initiative by WinstonNet Inc. and other nonprofit organizations to bridge the digital divide. For information, click here. To enroll in a class, call 336-703-4138.

Do Your Employees Qualify For Free Computer Training, Low-Cost Home Computers?

WinstonNet, a non-profit community technology initiative, provides free basic computer and Internet training for local residents through Connect Your Community. Those eligible include any "digitally disadvantaged" person – someone who does not use the Internet at home – over age 18. Upon completing the computer training, staff will assist students in finding the most economical Internet connection and can provide graduates with a subsidized, high-quality refurbished computer to take home for as little as $25. Learn more or call 336-703-4138.

WinstonNet Provides Excellence in Workforce Training

For 10 years WinstonNet, a non-profit community technology initiative, has been diligently working to make computers, broadband, and training accessible to the underserved and disadvantaged. The result -- a better trained workforce, better educated children and a population that is better prepared for today’s technology-based economy. Now, with three recently-awarded grants, WinstonNet will be able to do even more, including more labs, new computers, state-of-the art software, broadband Internet access and expanded training. What WinstonNet has already accomplished -- and is now expanding -- is extraordinary.

WinstonNet currently operates over 40 free public access computer labs in such places as City recreation centers, libraries and churches. And that number is growing. It offers a multitude of free computer training classes, including computer and job skills training in both English and Spanish. And, upon completing the courses, WinstonNet assists students in finding economical Internet connections and can even provide graduates with a subsidized, high-quality refurbished computer to take home for as little as $25.

WinstonNet, a partnership of local government, academic institutions and the WS Chamber of Commerce, is a true economic development asset that is providing huge benefits to our community. Learn More

WinstonNet Gets Second Federal Grant

From the Winston-Salem Journal: WinstonNet Inc. yesterday received its second large federal grant in three months, this time aimed at providing free computer training for some adults in Forsyth County.

WinstonNet is a partnership of local government, academic institutions and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. It was started in 2001 to help bridge the technology divide between higher- and lower-income residents by providing free computer labs and tutoring services.

The $1.06 million grant is geared toward the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Connect Your Community program. The program is part of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Broadband Technology Opportunities program.

Read the entire article here.

WinstonNet Secures Nearly a Million Dollars in Federal Funding

WinstonNet Inc., a partnership of local government and academic institutions and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce to provide free computer services to city and county residents, has received a $926,537 federal broadband recovery grant to provide new equipment for existing labs, better serve the Hispanic population, open new labs in low-income areas, and expand computer training, job training, and educational resources.
The federal grant will be matched with $532,711 in cash and $163,500 in in-kind contributions from WinstonNet and its member agencies, said John Boehme, the president of WinstonNet and the director of technical resources for education- and research-administrative systems at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Read the rest of the announcement here.