The Technology Center opened Feb 2002 it was ready for community service June 2002. SCSEP, Gainesway Empowerment Center, Tubby’s Clubhouse and the United Way, have been trained in some aspect at the Center.
Technology Center Coordinator Eleanor Elaine Mason has been a part of all of the above since July 2002.

 Thelma White has been in the program since November 2006. She got tired of just sitting at home and wanted to do more worthwhile with her time. She has been able to use some of her past office skills plus the ones she has picked up since being in the program. Mrs White says the computer training class was very helpful to her. She is able to use what she has learned at her training site which happens to be the Urban League. Mrs White is so determined to learn that her son bought her a computer. Mrs White said she highly recommends this programs to other seniors. “It helps seniors to get out of the house, use their talents and get a paycheck. You feel needed and feel as though you are making a contribution.

Virgie Wright joined SCSEP in September of 2006, she was a stay at home mom most of her adult life. She decided she wanted to get some on the job training, in order to secure employment in today’s technology market. Virgie has found the computer training to be the most beneficial to her thus far. She has taken beginning computer classes at the Technology Center and received her Certificate. Now she is enrolled in the Basic/Begining Excel class. Virgie’s not sure what she is going to do with all she has learned, but she has a lot more confidence in her abilities to compete in the job market. Virgie would recommend this program to all citizens 55 and older, would certainly benefit from the opportunities this program has to offer.

Anna Tatman
 entered SCSEP needing additional income and to take care of her ailing mother. Having knowledge of the program, Tatman contacted the SCSEP office in hopes of finding ways to het her needs met. “ I wanted to do something, but nothing full-time,” said Tatman

Excited that the program would allow her to refresh her office skills and be involved in the community, Tatman began working right away. She was able to learn basic keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and how to check e-mails at the Urban Leagues Technology Center. Tatman says that the training sites in which she has been able to volunteer have been beneficial to her current success.

Graduation Day is pretty exciting for the students, one and foremost it has given them the self esteem they needed to continue on to success. They now have a strong belief that they can fit function and survive in the world of technology, because they no longer have that fear of computers. They are e-mailing friends and family out of state as well as out of country. They are able to go on the internet and research anything they want such as medication, social security as well as shopping for bargains. Knowing how to create a letter, memos, and faxes has given a lot of the participants just what they needed to land that part time job as a receptionist. A job they once felt was long out of reach because of their lack of training. “I really enjoy watching them grow and become excited about the fact they can learn and ccontinue on their journey to success whether working In the church or a volunteer organization they now have the ability to take an active part. After graduation 90% express an interest in owing their own computers so they can continue their education.