Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
La Comunidad Hispana offering free access to technology
Organization serves low-income residents of southern Chester County
KENNETT SQUARE >> Many low-income residents in southern Chester County will soon be able to access technology and gain greater independence thanks to a new program at La Comunidad Hispana.
On May 1, LCH will make available six new kiosks with state-of-the art computers, including access to a printer, fax and a copier. And it’s all free.
“We wanted to establish an area where members could come and use the Internet and get support, and get help from someone who is bilingual who knows how to use the Internet,” said Amy Lambert, director of business operations and programs at LCH. “This can be a great opportunity for them to utilize the resources the Internet offers.”
The computers will be available at LCH’s Kennett Square location only. The program may be offered at the LCH Oxford location later. It gives clients the ability to immediately access their medical records, view their lab results, or any number of advantages the Internet offers. Most clients who use LCH are too poor to afford a computer, let alone pay for bandwidth, said Alicia Jones, chief executive officer of LCH.
“The ability to use technology is essential to progress in the United States,” Jones said. “It is our goal at LCH to help people on the pathway to progress. We see this as their progression toward independence. We don’t want the lack of a computer to be a barrier.”
The computers offer touch screen access, and are very intuitive. But LCH staff is available for free assistance or tutoring any time.
The program will also help to free up case managers and resource specialists, said Leann Riloff, director of development at LCH.
“With the clients learning the skills themselves, this will allow us to see even more people,” she said. “If they are applying for a job, or checking their kids’ report cards online, it’s hard to do that on a phone. There are a lot of ways this technology will intersect with their lives.”
La Comunidad Hispana is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, which offers social assistance services along with education and workforce development programs to low-income residents in Chester County. Founded in 1973, it also offers assistance in job placement, English as a Second Language, and citizenship classes.
LCH is currently recruiting ambassador volunteers. Contact Norma Diego-Flores at 610-444-7550 ext. 247 or ndiego-flores@lchps.org if interested.