Mothers Get a Helping Hand

Golden,B.C.: The Golden Women's Resource Centre CAP site targets marginalized women in our community who need support in becoming computer literate in-order to reduce the risk of technological isolation and to enable this group to be involved with the ever-expanding world of computers. This program provides a comfortable and safe atmosphere for these women to ask questions, gain experience, and learn new skills in relation to computer and Internet technology. Our program coordinator dedicates time to assisting women, one on one, with computer questions, guiding women through programs and helping with basic computer knowledge. The coordinator is also responsible for keeping learning materials for these women available at the centre to promote self education. This program has been sustained through the use of our four computers with Internet access available to the public. Through collaboration with existing programs and resources at the College of the Rockies and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, this program increases women’s ability to make positive contributions to our community.

Over 80 women accessed our CAP Site in September 2009; we serve an average of about 60 women per month-this number is growing. We often have a wait-line for women looking to use one of the computers available through our Cap Site. Many women use the site to check email, search the Internet and use up-to-date Microsoft Office programs as well as perform job searches and work on resumes.

Our CAP Site empowers the GWRC to offer computer services and support many women who need to access the Internet to fill out on-line forms that include emergency social assistance and low in-come housing applications or research a new location to move to. We are proud to offer this support to women to help themselves and all members of their families including their partners and children.

Not only is the GWRC growing, but Golden is growing as well. Over 90 babies are expected to be born in Golden before the end of this year. The GWRC offers a place for nursing mothers to pop in to do on-line paper work, photocopying and faxing, not only for themselves, but for their families. We expect to see a lot more mothers coming in to the centre over the next year. Our resource library provides a comfortable place for women to nurse while using our CAP Site – this is not offered anywhere else in Golden. We also have a play-room for children whose mother’s are accessing the program-this is also not available anywhere else in Golden.

Through our support programs as well as our CAP Site, we have been able to help women, who fall into the digital divide enjoy the social benefits that email provides people to connect with family and friends.