This content was published: November 22, 2000. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Partners with Intel on Computer Literacy Project in West Washington County
Photos and story by James Hill
HILLSBORO, Ore. – Portland Community College, with the support of a $25,000 grant from Intel, will soon be providing computer basics for Spanish-speaking families residing in west Washington County. The new program, set to begin offering classes in Spanish in January, will be undertaken by the college’s Adult and Family Literacy Volunteer Tutoring Center in Hillsboro. Individuals will receive training in the basic use of computers as a means of helping them encourage their children to develop computer technology skills. Eligible parents will receive 24 hours of instruction, and then will work with their children for another eight hours to develop and complete a computer project of their own design. Among the sites where these activities will take place is the new community computer learning center at the Shute Park Hillsboro Library."We are very excited about this collaborative project," said Carol Mazer, family literacy coordinator for the PCC center. "Intel has astutely recognized that helping the Spanish-speaking families in our community to come up to speed in basic computer literacy and competence is an excellent way to help prepare the children in these families for advanced education and enhanced career assets. The Hillsboro Library has already done an excellent outreach job in bringing the Spanish-speaking community into their facilities and locating some of our classes in the new installation will further their intent." Field trips to Intel and OMSI are also planned. Organizers hope the visits will enhance an understanding of the enormous range of information-access and communication available to those who can use computers, and also the possibilities for future careers for bilingual children who possess developed skills in computer technology.Further training and assistance will be available to families who have completed the basic course and wish to continue advancing their skills. For more information or a visit to the center, please contact:Christee Sweeney, Community Affairs Manager, Intel Corp., 503 264-3560 or at PCC, Susan Hereford, Communications and Media Relations Manager, 503 977-4421.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »