For
a Teenager Like Me…
(continued)
A
few years ago, visiting the Community Center near our house, we stumbled by
a great facility that has helped my entire family. We became members of the
Community Digital Initiative (CDI) that is affiliated with the University
of California campus at Riverside, and we found the benefits of consistently
visiting this computer lab. As technology advances, the requirements for students
also increase. Only a few years ago, it was rare for a teacher to demand typed
papers with certain fonts and special indentations from one day to the next.
Today students like me are required to conduct research on the Internet and
do other assignments that require access to a computer. My current college
prep high school coursework requires me to do a series of typed reports. I
know personally that all these reports would not have been possible without
a computer. CDI gave me access and assistance in learning how to use the technology.
CDI
has helped me tremendously, not only in my academics, but in my social life
as well. Through the skills that I learned at CDI, I have been able to help
my church using a program called Creative Writer that allows me to do my church's
newsletter. I still remember when I learned how to use e-mail and sent a message
to one of my friends who had moved to Oregon. The neat thing about it was
that it was so cheap. I can still recall that awesome sensation of using e-mail
for the first time.
At
CDI, I have access to the main programs that I need, and more. CDI has given
me the opportunity to practice my typing skills and also improve them by using
Mavis. In the lab, I have been able to meet new people that are about the
same age and have made new friends; we even attend the same school. I met
my friend Janetta at CDI and we share the same interests, help each other
as much as possible and, whenever possible tell others about the lab. One
of the greatest satisfactions I have is in the lab, where I help others who
are just getting started using computers.
CDI
has opened the gates of technology for my family that otherwise would have
been difficult to access. I know, with my education and increasing knowledge
in this new technology, I will be in a position of helping my parents and
my community in the years to come. Gracias to CDI: I hope it is here to stay
to help others who need it.
