A Black-led technology refurbishing and training center opened its doors recently.
Power Up USA, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the digital divide by refurbishing and distributing technology to underserved communities, and the Center for Digital Churches, an organization that offers classes and digital devices to churches, held a grand opening of their new Technology Refurbishing and Training Center On June 28.
“Technology can help you access the whole world,” Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chair George Dunlap said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
People can donate their devices to the center for refurbishment on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A free “digital pop-up” will also be available during that time to offer technology advice to those who need it.
“If someone needs any help with their devices — their cellphones, their tablets, their laptops — for free of charge, they can come in, and one of our digital navigators will help them,” Tommy Nichols, founder and president of Power Up USA, said.
The refurbishing and training center will also offer diagnostics for digital devices on Fridays.
“You can come here, and we can help you one-on-one with any of your devices,” Nichols said.
Appointments, which can be made on their website, are needed to visit the center.
The center is located at the Innovation Barn at 932 Seigle Avenue.
Closing the digital divide
The center will also offer technology training sessions. The sessions are open to everyone but target demographics most impacted by the digital divide, including seniors and people living in underserved communities.
Nichols said a growing issue for many people is affording broadband internet services to use technology devices.
According to the Aging and Independence Services Group of the Atlanta Regional Commission, 22 million older people lacked broadband access at home as of 2022.
“So much of our world now is digitally accessed, to be able to communicate, to be able to access your information … to be able to make sure that there aren’t barriers for older adults in our city is essential,” Samantha Overbay, a volunteer and engagement coordinator for the Shepard’s Center, a nonprofit interfaith organization serving seniors in Charlotte, said.
Many seniors, Overbay said, are intimidated by using technology for the first time.
This past spring, for six weeks, Power Up USA taught a class of seniors about using technology.
Overbay said what surprised her was the confidence seniors were able to build in their ability to use the devices.
“It was amazing to watch the transformation,” Overbay told QCity Metro.
Faith and technology
Donated devices that have been refurbished will mainly be distributed to local churches.
In addition, Power Up USA will offer training for using digital devices at those churches.
Nichols told QCity Metro he chose to work with churches because of their accessibility.
“We can be anywhere in the county by using local churches,” Nichols said.
Through the organizations’ work, around 30 churches worldwide have received technology and training to support and connect with their communities.
“The church is a familiar place for the community; it has been that way forever,” Nichols said. “Folks feel very comfortable.”
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Source Link: https://qcitymetro.com/2024/06/30/black-led-technology-center-opens/
A Black-led technology refurbishing and training center opened its doors…
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A Black-led profession refurbishing and upbringing edifice unsealed its doors recently. Power Up USA, a noncommercial sacred to reaction the digital cypher by refurbishing and distributing profession to underserved communities, and the Center for Digital Churches, an methodicalness that offers classes and digital devices to churches, held a noble inaugural of their newborn Technology Refurbishing …
