News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 26, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces federal grant to help elderly, poor and disabled use computers

OLYMPIA - Thirty-four AmeriCorps members will help elderly, low-income and disabled residents in six Washington counties learn to use modern computer technology, Gov. Gary Locke announced today.

Washington is receiving a $559,627 competitive federal grant to fund these AmeriCorps projects in Chelan, Douglas, King, Pierce, Okanogan and Yakima counties.

"Modern telecommunications technology, and the ability to use it, is key to bringing prosperity to rural and poor sections of urban areas," Locke said.

"Our booming economy also has created a gap between the number of technology jobs available and the number of people with the skills to fill them," he added.

"These AmeriCorps members will help spread the benefits of the booming economy and train Washington residents to use technology as a way to access resources through the Internet to receive services or apply for available jobs," Locke added.

In addition to assisting individuals to access this technology, AmeriCorps members will serve with some community organizations to help refurbish surplus computers donated by corporations and government for use by low-income, elderly, and disabled people.

Washington is one of 16 states to receive the special grant to be utilized with AmeriCorps members that will help bridge the digital divide. The Corporation for National Service, the federal agency that provides AmeriCorps funds to the state, chose the states to receive a grant based upon a national competition.

AmeriCorps, a domestic version of the Peace Corps, places teams of individuals on projects that address critical community needs. In exchange for their year of service, members receive a small living allowance, health insurance and a $4,725 educational award at the end of service that can be used to pay for post-secondary education or to pay back their student loans.

More than 2,000 AmeriCorps members currently serve in Washington on a variety of priority community projects.

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