Local collaborative to offer new technology workshops

TERKK’s Computer Services, Morley Library and CROSS Outreach Ministry have partnered to teach free community-based coding and cybersecurity workshops to youth and adults in Painesville.

The technology courses are part of an ongoing initiative to create a“5G, Digitally Smart Community.”

Based on Microsoft’s YouthSpark Computer Science and coding suite, the workshops will allow students age-appropriate, hands-on opportunities to write codes for games, mobile apps and websites, without any prior coding experience, according to a news release.

There also will be ongoing workshops on how to maximize the use of mobile devices, use of Microsoft Office 365 and cybersecurity.

“One of the things I’ve always tried to do with my business is (to) help people learn how to use technology to improve their lives,” said TERKK’s owner Tony Brooks. “This new project is just the next phase of the process.”

Brooks and CROSS founder Brian Jones have been raising community awareness on the benefits of computer science and technology since 2008, by opening Lake County’s first Ohio Benefit Bank site to assist eligible individuals and families apply for state medical and food benefits, the release also states.

Their latest endeavors include joining “Stop. Think. Connect.,” a global, online safety awareness campaign to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online and The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies “5G Smart Cities and Communities of Colors” initiative to promote economic growth and development of highspeed fiber internet.

Brooks and Jones conducted free communitybased technology courses at Painesville’s Morse Avenue Community Center and TERKK’s with grants from the Painesville City Improvement Corp.

“Tony is a genuine IT geek with a vision to make the entire community digitally literate,” Jones said. “But I think his real gift is the ability to teach the complexities and nuances of IT in a way that’s easy to understand and fun.”

An introductory seminar on community-based coding, cybersecurity, and careers in computer science will held at Morley Library in Painesville from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 5. Those interested in participating in the coding workshops Aug. 9 and 10 are encouraged to attend the seminar and register. Seating is limited.

For complete details, call 440-350-1903, 440-295-5073 or visit crossoutreachministry.today