Computer Learning Centers

The computer learning centers at our affordable housing communities help to bridge the digital divide. With technology so central to economic and social success, those without access to computers are at risk of slipping deeper into poverty. To help families avoid the widening gap, Caleb communities feature state of the art Computer Learning Centers.

Caleb's computer centers feature 6-8 up-to-date computers. Our centers are open to people of all ages and with varying degrees of computer literacy. To meet the diverse needs of our community members, all computers are equipped with high-speed internet, free web-based email, word processing, spread sheet and typing tutor software. We also offer a self-paced training curriculum designed for people who have never put their fingers on a keyboard. With these features, our community members can: research health related information connect with family far away research a hobby explore new lands and distant cultures complete homework play educational computer games enhance their employable skills learn word processing and spread sheet programs search job sites on the Internet practice English as a second language share new skills between each other in order to build community. If you are interested in volunteering at one of the centers, please contact us.

Community-Based, Community-Run The Caleb Group has had tremendous success in our low income housing sites engaging the community to help promote and run the centers. In Willimantic, the Computer Learning Center at Village Heights has become the VITA center where city residents can receive free assistance and electronically submit their income tax forms. Lowell's Chestnut Square recently received 10 state of the art computers donated from New Beginnings and is now open all low income Lowell residents wishing to engage in self-paced computer learning. Caleb received the 2003 Digital Opportunity Award for "empowering families and unleashing the force of technology for social good" in Lowell. The Caleb Adult Center in Portland began as a Caleb computer learning center and now boasts over 200 hours of tutoring and computer learning each month. The Portland center has become the central location for elderly to access Agency on Aging volunteers and computers to help sign up for Medicare Part D.