Just got a press release from CVOEO (Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity) touting the success of their public computing lab in the South End, at the Maltex Building on Pine Street. The press release mentions the lab's 100th user, a woman named Guerda Alerte:

The lab, funded by the Verizon Foundation, and staffed through a grant from Vermont Associates Techcorps, an Americorps Program, is fully equipped with computers and high-speed Internet access. Guerda, who is 19 years old and comes from Africa, uses the lab to practice typing and working with an Excel spreadsheet. Guerda also volunteers to mentor others in the lab a couple of days a week.

CVOEO’s computer lab was created for just such a person — an enthusiastic adult learner who is willing to share with others, and had limited access or exposure to computers in the past. The purpose of the lab is to close the digital divide by helping people learn computer basics in order to get jobs, successfully develop and run businesses, improve access to information and education, and communicate with loved ones.

Sounds great. I'll have to stop by and take a look. For more information on the lab, contact Mediha Jusufagic at 860-1417 x109.