CHAT Is Providing Essential Access To Computer Literacy
Computer literacy and access to technology resources emerged as two of the biggest challenges during the pandemic for immigrant and refugee communities. CHAT is helping to address these obstacles to quality of life:
- We are providing essential computer literacy skills through our new Computer Literacy Program (CLP); and,
- We have been providing computers, tablets, and internet access to families in need thanks to partners and donors.
Computer Literacy Program
Computers are used for everything from accessing healthcare resources and connecting with expert information to applying for jobs and managing your finances. The need for computer skills has become especially evident during the remote learning days of the pandemic — knowing how to navigate a computer and online resources helps you provide support for your children with their school work and projects. To help bridge this knowledge gap, CHAT rolled out its Computer Literacy Program (CLP) earlier this year.
Through the CLP, computer basics classes are being offered for adults at no cost, with classes held virtually and led by a CHAT tutor. Depending on the course, the series may last from just a few weeks to a few months with the classes meeting once or twice a week. Class size has varied, but classes are kept small to provide adequate support to all students. In some instances, English and Spanish class options have been provided.
CLP students are learning:
- How to use a computer
- How to use the internet
- How to use the internet to follow your children’s schoolwork
- How to be safe online
- How to search for jobs
- How to use free Google tools, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Photos, and Google Slides
“As an instructor, I was amazed to see students’ dedication and eagerness to learn how to use the computer for themselves and their families. The pandemic was a hard reality that demonstrated how important it is to be computer literate. For this reason, many students enrolled in the program because they know that technology will continue advancing and it’s a necessary skill for everyone,” said instructor Ashley Cruz.
Technology & Internet Resources
It’s important to understand that for many families in the community CHAT serves, the lack of computer equipment and internet access has made this past year especially difficult. You cannot successfully learn from home or work from home if you do not have an appropriate device to use. In many cases, families were using a single smartphone which was shared among everyone for classes, school work, and other activities.
CHAT has been providing computers and tablets for families in need throughout the pandemic. This has been made possible through the generous support of CHAT donors as well as partnerships with Houston area organizations.
Thanks to the generosity of BakerRipley, we were able to provide 20 Chromebooks and 20 MiFi devices with free internet access for a year to our CLP class students this Spring. These devices are helping to bridge the recourse gap for the families who received them and are helping to improve their quality of life.
To learn more about upcoming classes, please contact Aisha.Siddiqui@chattx.org or sign up for our email newsletter at http://eepurl.com/goSqYb.
To make a donation to CHAT and help us continue providing free classes or additional computers to families in need, please visit https://chattx.org/donate-now/.