New work force development lab opens in Chicora-Cherokee in North Charleston

Residents in the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood in North Charleston will now have access to a free computer lab that will be used for work force development and training.

Clemson University donated 15 computers to the city to be used at the Gussie Green Community Center in the neighborhood, where many adults lack basic computer knowledge.

After looking at a collection of geographic information system data, the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood was found to have the most need for a lab like this from a socioeconomic standpoint, said Harry Crissy, Clemson regional community and economic development agent for the tri-county area.

“We want to engage the adults who don’t have these skills who shouldn’t be left behind,” Crissy said.

The computers were refurbished by the Charleston Linux Users Group, an organization that promotes free, open-source software. They worked to install Linux software and set up the machines for use without having to deal with licensing associated with Microsoft and other software, said Semmy Purewal, a computer science professor at the College of Charleston.

The Linux Users Group and a group of College of Charleston students have worked since February on restoring the computers. Comcast Cable has donated cable installation and free Internet access for a year.

The lab is open four days a week to anyone in the community, and the goal is to have two nights of scheduled classes and two nights of open lab. The classes will cover basic computer literacy concepts, such as how to set up an e-mail account — things that most people take for granted, Crissy said. Classes will progress to writing a resume, applying for jobs online and other work force development training.

The classes will be taught by volunteers from the College of Charleston, the Linux Users Group, Clemson and other organizations.

“It will be a big boost for our neighborhood knowing that outside groups care enough about our neighborhood to do this,” said A.J. Davis, acting president of the Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood association.

If the technology center becomes successful, Crissy said it will be used as a pilot program to establish similar programs in other communities around the Lowcountry.