2006 Jerry Award Entry for
Kentucky-Indiana Personal Computer Users Group

Prize Use:

We would like to expand our program. We currently serve 10-15 individuals a month, with a long waiting list.

Project Description:

The Kentucky Indiana Personal Computer Users Group (KIPCUG) has initiated a new community outreach in conjunction with The Healing Place. KIPCUG has a history of recycling PC’s and providing to the needy. This program takes things a step farther.

The Healing Place is a nationally recognized homeless recovery center. In addition to alcohol and drug addiction treatment, The Healing Place has returned over 2000 formerly homeless individuals to a productive place in society. Part of this recovery includes job training. KIPCUG is proud to be a part of this process. Those individual nearing completion of the program, who need training in computer use are provided that training by members of KIPCUG.

Members of KIPCUG go on campus to The Healing Place and teach a variety of classes, in a set curriculum. Classes include: Keyboarding, basic PC hardware repair, basic online security, Windows, and basic Office training. The students all work on machines provided by KIPCUG, through their recycling program.

The exciting aspect of this training for the students: They get to take the computer they learn on with them as they complete the course.