By Thelma D. Jones

The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Youth Activities Task Force (SWNA YATF) will begin its Computer-for-Kids (CFK) Computer Training classes for Southwest youth ages 6-12 on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 6:30 p.m. The eight-week class will be held for one hour every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., at the James Creek Resident Council Computer Center, 100 N St. SW, Washington, DC 20024. Classes are taught by highly skilled volunteer instructors, including one instructor who has volunteered since the program’s inception in October 2007.

Classes cover basic computer training, including hardware, software, keyboarding, internet overview, internet safety for children, as well as an intro to the Microsoft Suite Office products: Windows, Word, Paint, and PowerPoint. Nutritional snacks are provided after each class, accompanied by a brief talk on age-appropriate subjects, such as the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, respect, honesty, sharing, and cyberbullying. Students are required to meet the graduation requirements of good behavior, good participation and good attendance. 

After the eight-week training, a graduation ceremony and reception are held. Each student will receive a YATF certificate of completion, a gift bag from YATF volunteers, and a refurbished desktop computer from the SWNA Technology Task Force – with a limit of one computer per household. 

The goal of the program is to help reduce the digital divide in our community. The training program provides students, as well as their family, an opportunity to have access to a computer for school, work, and at home. Since the program’s inception in 2007, more than 160 students ages 6-14 have completed the CFK program.Parents interested in registering their child(ren) or who have questions regarding the program should contact Thelma D. Jones at 202-251-1639 or email thelma@swna.org. Class sizes are limited to 8-10 students and currently five students have registered for the program.

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