Program aims to lessen ‘digital divide’

Computers, monitors and keyboards once used by city employees were piled onto folding tables in the main room of the Downtown Optimist Building on Saturday morning, waiting to be picked up by low-income Columbia residents.

The Homes for Computers program is designed to give at-risk children attending Columbia public schools the same advantages as other students by helping to bridge what is become known as the “digital divide.”

The program, run by the Voluntary Action Center, has given a total of 119 computers over the past three years.

“Giving these computers away gives the kids more of an equal playing field,” Cindy Mustard of the Voluntary Action Center said. “You’re at a disadvantage when half of the kids in the school have a computer and you don’t.”

Forty-eight applications were filled out for the 43 available computers.

Carla Jones was surprised to find out she had received a computer for her 8-year-old daughter. She couldn’t afford a new one, so she was excited when she saw that she could get one for free.

“I filled out the form for a computer, but I didn’t think I’d get one,” Jones said, “I don’t usually do very well in drawings.”

Jones is looking forward to the opportunities her daughter will have now that they have a computer again. The family had a computer a couple of years ago, but got rid of it because it had too many viruses.

Carla’s husband, Louis, said he hopes the computer will help his daughter learn and improve in school.

“I’ve heard about some programs and games for kids that will help her in math and spelling,” Louis Jones said.

Before the Homes for Computers program was put into action, city computers were sold at auctions, but low returns encouraged the city to find other uses for the computers. Assistant City Manager Tony St. Romaine encouraged the homes for computers idea after hearing about a similar program in Florida.

Parents picking up their computers Saturday received a quick training session on setting it up and received information on Internet safety and computer courses at the Daniel Boone Regional Library.