Where, when
The Enterprise Center will offer free classes that share practical uses of the Internet, at the following locations, beginning on the date noted. Classes meet once a week on the same day of the week, for six to eight weeks. There is space for participants at all locations. * Eastgate Public Library, Feb. 3, 6:15-8:15 pm * East Lake Academy, Feb. 26, 4-6:30 pm * The Howard School, Feb. 5, 5:30-7:30 pm * YFD Academy, Feb. 10, 1:30-2:30 pm * Red Bank High School, Feb. 6, 3-6 pm * Second Missionary Baptist, Feb. 12, 3-5 pm
Chattanoogans soon will be able to get free help answering perhaps the most basic question about computers and the Internet: What can I do with them?
Tech Goes Home Chattanooga starts in February at six schools across Hamilton County. There will be space for 125 people, both children and adults.
The Enterprise Center is launching the pilot program to make Gig City more digitally inclusive.
"A lot of folks may not be familiar with using the Internet in their day-to-day lives," said Kelly McCarthy, program manager for Tech Goes Home Chattanooga. "They don't have a sense for all the things they can accomplish with it to make their life easier."
A few examples: using Google maps, looking up coupon sites, logging onto a child's school account to check grades.
"The point is not just how to use things more efficiently," McCarthy said. "It's more: These are some of the amazing things you can find on the Internet."
The classes will be 15 hours long and run for six to eight weeks. Exact start dates differ by location, and all the classes will end in April.
At the end of the program participants will be able to purchase a new Chromebook for $50 each.
"That addresses one of the other parts of the digital divide: hardware," McCarthy said.
"If you don't have a computer at home, learning these skills won't do much."
The $100,000 program is initially funded primarily by the Benwood Foundation, said Ken Hays, president and CEO for the Enterprise Center.
Hays said he hopes to continue the program, beginning with another cycle that starts this summer. It's not yet clear who will fund it.
"Part of what we're doing now is getting geared up," Hays said. "We're not going to tell anybody that they can't give. We'll get this launched then look at how to get it more sustainable."
The Enterprise Center is a newly formed nonprofit organization aimed at capitalizing on the city's digital technology infrastructure.
Tech Goes Home Chattanooga is modeled after the Tech Goes Home program founded in Boston. Since the program was founded in 2010, more than 13,000 people have completed the program, according to its website. Most households that participate have incomes under $20,000 per year, the website says.
To participate in the Chattanooga program, check techgoeshomecha.org.
Contact staff writer Mitra Malek at mmalek@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6406. Follow her on Twitter @mitramalek.