NextStep’s Digital Literacy Training Center Grand Opening

April 19, 2011 - PRLog -- ePOC is designed to improve educational opportunities for Lane County students by bridging the technological gap that commonly exists for economically marginalized students. ePOC will provide hands on training, a refurbished computer and one year of internet access at no or very low cost.

A combination of family support, training, access to computer hardware and the Internet has been shown in studies to improve student’s educational performance.

NextStep has partnered with the Center for Advanced Technology in Education at the University of Oregon in creating the ePOC digital literacy curriculum.

The City of Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and The Eugene Chamber of Commerce will be performing the ribbon cutting.

“I’d like to invite everyone in our community who is interested in equality in education to join us at our grand opening event. Together we can level the educational playing field - for all our children,” said Lorraine Kerwood, NextStep’s Executive Director. “We are incredibly excited to begin moving forward on this long awaited project. This project has been a priority for NextStep for many years, and through our community partnerships it is now a reality”.

Food and beverages will be available.

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NextStep Recycling educates and empowers marginalized populations by providing refurbished computers that allow access to technology and the Internet. NextStep also recycles non-repairable computer hardware and other electronics, keeping hazardous waste out of our soil and water.