Connect Ohio Awards Computer to Portage County Participant of Free Statewide Internet Training Program

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-214-6755 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 13, 2011

Twelve Ohioans were randomly selected to receive a new laptop computer following completion of the free computer-training program

COLUMBUS – On Tuesday, July 12, Connect Ohio presented Brandy Archer of Kent City with a new laptop computer during a short media event at the Community Action Council of Portage County. Archer was selected as a winner in a random drawing following her participation in the Every Citizen Online program, a free statewide basic computer and Internet training program.

“It’s not everyday things like winning a new laptop happen to me,” said Archer. “Being without a job since August of 2010, I was given the opportunity to take classes at CTLC for my MOS certifications. I also took the Every Citizen Online (ECO) classes and continue going back to help the ECO instructor train other new computer users. I am hopeful winning the laptop will get me one step closer to achieving my return to the workforce.”

Connect Ohio, a nonprofit public-private partnership, is distributing a total of 12 new laptop computers to Ohio adults who completed the Every Citizen Online free basic computer-training program between April 5 and June 20, 2011. Program participants completed an online survey following the training and were entered into the random drawing giveaway.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to provide free computer training to residents of Portage County through the ECO/Connect Ohio program,” said David Shea, Community Action Council of Portage County executive director. “Brandy has worked very hard and is continuing to take advanced classes at our technology training center in Microsoft Office leading to full-time employment. I can’t think of a more deserving person to win a free computer through the program.”

Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the Every Citizen Online training. More than 8,000 adults have already taken advantage of the training since it launched in late December 2010. The training consists of 2 hours each of Basic Introduction to Computers, An Introduction to the Internet, and Tools and Benefits of using the Internet. Participants are helped to establish an e-mail account and provided with additional training resources to help them continue to learn and use information available online. Connect Ohio plans to train a total of 200,000 Ohioans by program completion in December 2012.

Every Citizen Online training locations in Portage County include the following:

Akron-Summit County Public Library 
Registration: 330-643-9145
Mogadore Branch
144 South Cleveland Avenue, Mogadore


CAC of Portage County 
Registration: 330-296-8720
Community Technology Learning Center
243 South Prospect, Ravenna


Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio 
Registration: 330-377-4549
Western Reserve Public Media
1750 Campus Center Drive, Kent


Portage County District Library
Aurora Memorial Branch 
Registration: 330-562-6502
115 East Pioneer Trail, Aurora


Garrettsville Branch 
Registration: 330-527-4378
10482 South Street, Garrettsville


Pierce Streetsboro Branch 
Registration: 330-626-4458
8990 Kirby Lane, Streetsboro


Windham Branch 
Registration: 330-527-5082
9005 Wilverne Drive, Windham


Additional training locations can be found by calling 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-42260) or by visiting http://connectoh.org/consumer_training/training_facilities.php.

Contest rules and guidelines are listed on Connect Ohio’s website at http://connectoh.org/consumer_training/computer_giveaway.php or you may receive a copy by e-mailing amurphy@connectohio.org.

For more information on the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training.

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Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.


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