SBC Foundation funds El Paso technology training program
People Skills, Inc., in collaboration with the El Paso Area Library (EPAL) Consortium and the Frontier of the Americas Program are pleased to announce the continuation of the technology training program, free of charge, thanks to the generous support from the SBC Foundation. Through its competitive Excelerator grant program, the SBC Foundation has awarded the collaborative $12,500 to defray the cost of providing basic and intermediate computer and Internet skills training in the greater El Paso area. The program started as an initiative of the El Paso Area Libraries and the Frontier of the Americas Program, first championed by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Texas 29th District.

Bridging the Digital Divide
The digital divide is the wedge between the "information rich" (those with higher-than- average incomes and levels of education) and the "information poor" (such as those who are younger, those with lower incomes and education levels, and those who live in rural areas or central cities). By closing the digital divide we can achieve educational equity. Through educational equity, the initiatives of Proyecto Inicia and the Frontier of the Americas Program can create sustainable links to education, community and commercial resources."

Now in its 3rd year, Frontier of the Americas and its mirror program, Proyecto Inicia, are made possible by the collaboration of the City and County of El Paso, People Skills, the El Paso Area Libraries (EPAL) Consortium and various public school districts. The mission of the program is to "develop, evaluate, and disseminate programs that inspire people to undertake self-paced technology training and make a difference in their lives, the lives of their children and of their neighbors. We believe we can help our community leverage technology to alleviate the social, economic and educational challenges better than anyone else."

Community Initiative
The program is for El Paso community members who would like to learn more about computing and the Internet. Classes are held free of charge and are offered in English or Spanish. Basic courses are taught by experienced mentors relying on off-the- shelf and custom curriculum. To date, nearly 1,200 individuals and parents have received basic technology training at area community centers and libraries and select primary schools in the Clint, Socorro and Ysleta Independent School Districts. · Classes will be held soon at the following locations: · El Paso County Library-Fabens (764-3635) · Doris Van Doran Library (551 Redd Road; 875-0700) · Westside Library (125 Belvedere; 581-2024) · Memorial Library (3200Copper; 566-1034) · Lower Valley Library (San Jose Rd.; 591-3391) · Schwartz Library (1865 Dean Martin; 857-0594) · Classes material includes: · Computer Basics · MS Word Basics · Internet Basics · Email Basics. Space is limited and participant registration is required. For more information call a library listed above, or Ruben Castaneda at 915.541-0070; you may also visit www.people- skills.org or www.proyecto-inicia.org.

Computer Class Mentors / Instructors
Have your participants fill out the computer class application forms provided to you by your lead trainers - Victor Paz and Beto Pallares. Please enter this information into the online database using the online form. Click on the first button below to go to the form. On the last day of class (before certificates of completion are presented to the participants), have the participants click on the second button below to go and complete the online evaluation form.