CAMDEN - For South Arkansas residents who are looking to learn or sharpen their computer and internet literacy skills, the Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas will be offering a mobile program for children and adults in 2024.
The RISE (Reading Into Self Elevation) Digital Literacy Lab for adults will kick off in El Dorado next month.
Lab sessions are scheduled for 2 until 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, 22 and 23 and noon until 3 p.m. on Jan. 17. at Zion Watch Baptist Church, 103 Shoute Division.
The sessions are a component of the RISE Digital Literacy Mobile Lab, which provides basic computer literacy training for low-income families with children who are in first - eighth grade in Union and Ouachita counties.
The lab focuses on basic computer literacy training, including use of the internet, online safety and Microsoft Word.
In the fall, AT&T gifted LCSCA with a $25,000 contribution to support and promote the mobile lab, according to a press release.
"Our mission is to assist adults and families with becoming self-sufficient, employable and able to move on to higher levels of education," said Linda Nelson, executive director of LCSCA.
"Thanks to AT&T, we'll be able to reach more people through our RISE Digital Literacy Mobile Lab and help them learn the skills they need at school, on the job and in life," Nelson added.
Earlier this year, LCSCA officials explained that in addition to offering tutoring in reading, writing and math, the RISE Initiative expands its literacy services to assist participants with learning how to function in a society that is heavily influenced by technology.
The program teaches such skills as computer navigation, how to fill out an online job application and how to identify and avoid online scams.
State Rep. Matthew Shepherd (R-El Dorado) expressed his support of the RISE Initiative and digital lab and its importance to the South Arkansas community.
"We need to work together to help improve digital literacy skills in El Dorado and throughout South Central Arkansas," Shepherd said.
"It's critically important to our future success and to the strength of our region. I appreciate that AT&T and the Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas are working together to achieve these goals," he continued.
Lisa Lake, regional director - AT&T External Affairs, touted the LCSCA for its "strong record of success supporting and lifting up young people in South Central Arkansas communities," according to the press release.
"The Literacy Coalition-South Central Arkansas plays an important role in helping children in El Dorado and Camden learn the skills and tools they need to thrive in the digital economy ... and that's why we support their work," Lake said.
Nelson said the LCSCA will offer a series of RISE Digital Literacy Labs for both adults and children at different locations in El Dorado and Camden throughout 2024.
In addition to basic computer learning, she said South Arkansas residents may also register to learn basic cellphone functions.
The lab sessions are limited to 10 participants.
Nelson said each lab totals 12 hours of training/learning during sessions that are held over the course of two weeks, typically in the afternoon on Monday and Tuesday.
She noted that one of the sessions in January was moved to Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 15.
Labs for children will be scheduled after school on Friday and Saturday.
K - 12 students who participate in the program will also have access to The Achievery, a free online learning platform that was created by AT&T to provide "engaging and entertaining content paired with learning activities for everywhere today's connected students learn."
South Arkansas residents who are interested in signing up for the lab in January may call 833-GO2-READ (462-7323) and leave their name and phone number.
The deadline to sign up is Jan. 12.
For more information, visit www.literacycoalitionsca.org or the LCSCA's Facebook page.