DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709120257

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DOUG BEIZER, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   58 lines

DONATED COMPUTERS WILL HELP HOMELESS LEARN SKILLS

The Judeo Christian Outreach Center's new computer training laboratory for the homeless was - until recently - low on one type of essential equipment: powerful computers.

That problem was solved last month. The center received two fully equipped computers donated by the law firm Breit Drescher & Breit. Seventeen other computers from the firm went to other charitable organizations and the Norfolk public school system.

The plan to donate the computers was the brainchild of Congressman Owen Pickett and his colleagues Jeff Breit and Jack Drescher. When Pickett learned that the law firm was replacing 20 of its computers he suggested that the old machines be reconditioned and donated to nonprofit organizations.

``This is a much more worthwhile way of disposing of good, serviceable equipment and technology,'' Pickett said.

Dick Powell, executive director of the homeless center, said the new computers have already had an impact on the fledgling computer lab where shelter residents learn computer skills that could help them get jobs.

``It just gives us the opportunity to improve what we teach,'' he said. The center had a handful of slower, less sophisticated equipment. The newer, faster computers will speed things up and increase the teaching capacity.

Powell said the donated computers are the best of the 12 the Outreach Center has. He hopes the computer lab will eventually have 20 computers.

Now that the computers are installed at the shelter, homeless people will be trained how to use them, beginning with the very basics.

``We teach them how to use a computer, how to turn it on, how to get into it, because most of our clients have never touched a computer, they've only seen them,'' Powell said.

After the basic-skills classes, beginning classes in word processing and other popular computer applications will be offered.

Pickett spokesman Morris Rowe said he hopes other companies follow the firm's lead and donate old computers when upgrading their systems.

Pickett's office plans to assist with another round of computer donations - this time from the Army Corps of Engineers - on Monday. The Corps plans to give away 40 reconditioned Macintosh computers to W.H. Taylor Elementary School, Kempsville Middle School, Lynnhaven Middle School and the Tidewater Center for Technology Access in the White Oaks Elementary School building.

Powell said the homeless center is now looking for some Macintosh computers to go along with its Kids Club after-school program for elementary school students.

``We would like to have a couple of Macintoshes because they would correspond with what they use in school,'' Powell said. MEMO: For information or to donate a computer to the Judeo Christian

Outreach Center, call 491-2846. Another outlet for donating computers is

the Southeastern Public Service Authority at 548-2256. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DOUG BEIZER

Thomas Hill uses a donated computer at Judeo Christian Outreach

Center.

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