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Teaching 'Hope'
GREENVILLE, May 12, 2009 (Greenville Herald-Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
The Hope Center of Greenville -- located at 2715 Crockett -- has partnered with the Greenville Adult Learning Center to offer free computer classes to adults.
"We've been struggling with where do we put our emphasis," said Jerry Speight, executive director for the Hope Center. "This right here will help more people with job opportunities by learning new skills than anything we know of."
Thanks to the Altrusa Club and individual donations, the Hope Center was able to put in a computer lab. Brand new Dell computers were installed in the lab, along with all the programs most businesses request their prospective employees to be familiar with.
"I'm doing this so that when I go to an interview for a job I can have some computer skills to go on my resume," said Kristy Sanders. "Everyone uses computers these days so these skills are absolutely necessary."
Teresa Reynolds, another student in the class, hopes to improve her own business through this course.
"I want to be up-to-date on things," she said. "I have my own candle and soap making business, so I'm hoping the graphic and Web designing will help me as well."
The classes are taught by Jill Baker, who has 30 years teaching experience in the Greenville Independent School District, with the last 15 years spent teaching computer courses. As a certified teacher she can teach at all levels.
"I love to volunteer," said Baker. "I love to teach and I love to work with people and this is something that is really needed."
The Hope Center's first class was held May 1 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with the second class held the following Monday for anyone whose schedule conflicted with the first class.
The center even has a bilingual volunteer, Beth Fortin, who translates the lessons Baker gives to those individuals who speak little or no English.
"I talked to Jerry about wanting to help out with either teaching Spanish or English," said Fortin. "He gave me a call and told me they were having a class and they needed someone to translate for them. We're doing it in both languages. I'm telling them what the word is in English and then translating it to Spanish. It's fun and they really appreciate it."
Computers will be given -- free of charge -- to those individuals who stick with the course, so that they can practice those techniques and skills they learn at the Hope Center.
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