Raleigh Youth Teach Adults Computer Skills

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Young members of the City of Raleigh’s Digital Connectors program turned their Martin Luther King holiday on Jan. 16 into a day of service. They taught computer skills to adults who are new to computers. The event took place at United Way’s Teaming for Technology center.

The event, a project of the City of Raleigh Digital Connectors, United Way’s Teaming for Technology and Wake County Human Services, provided computer literacy training to individuals who had no previous experience owning and maintaining their own computer. At the end of the training, the 10 participants received a computer from Teaming for Technology for $40.

Fifteen Digital Connectors traveled to the Teaming for Technology center in Morrisville to teach participants basic computer skills, Internet safety and how to set up email. While some young people worked one-on-one with adult participants, others cleaned computers, loaded software and prepared additional computers for their new owners.

"It was truly an effective event that, undoubtedly, will help the families advance their achievements," said Joe Burgess, a Teaming for Technology manager. "This class is hands down a stellar group of youth. They are always welcome to volunteer their time with us."

"It was wonderful seeing the young people working with the adults so closely," said Andrew Meyer, program specialist with Wake County Human Services Human Capital Development.

Digital Connectors is a national program offered by the City of Raleigh. The program helps prepare youth for jobs in the 21st century workplace by providing intensive computer training and building leadership skills. The City sponsors Digital Connectors in partnership with One Economy Corp., a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that works to extend technology to underserved communities.

Each youth in the Digital Connector program receives 150 hours of classroom training. In return, participants provide at least 56 hours of community service focused on spreading digital literacy to others. The Digital Connectors program selects young people ages 14-21 from underserved communities for the training and development program. The students learn leadership principles, technology skills, community service, financial literacy and civic journalism. They develop skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the global economy.