C@P Report Volume 1 Issue 1

Volume 1, Issue 1 July 2nd, 2004 ^{Community Access Program (CAP)}

The Western Regional Library has begun an active start to the summer with many computer related courses.

The Community Access Members at the Western Regional Library in Yarmouth has already begun extensive planning on several different computer and information technology related courses. CAP members, Ryan McKenzie and Hayley Pothier have been working hard to establish viable summer sessions to help those who are in need of IT training. Courses held at the library consist of Internet and computer basic courses as well as specialized courses in email and Wford. The Western Regional Library (WRL) has been at the forefront of a constant commitment by the CAP team to close the digital divide gap in our rural community.

CAP member, Ryan McKenzie, commented on the support the WRL has given the local CAP team. "I have been involved with the program for some time now and the WRL has always been one of the most dedicated CAP sites providing the general computer assistance so many in our community desire and require."

The digital divide has begun to decline in the southwest shore region due to greater technology based infrastructure and facilities, like the WRL, working constantly on ways to provide effective services and training to those in need of IT assistance.

The WRL has been a devoted supporter of the CAP team for many years and has provided a CAP site at its location since the creation of the CAP working group in the southwest shore region. Dates and times for the courses held at the Western Regional Library are listed on page 2. For more information about the Western Regional Library

Email: wcr_lab@wcrl.library.ns.ca

Phone: 742-2486

The CAP team in the southwest shore region has embarked upon community minded projects to generate revenue for future IT activities in the southwest shore region. With the support of CAP partners and CAP site businesses and associations, the team predicts that many more IT events will take place due greatly in part to the fundraising efforts of this upcoming summer.

Open for Business has a new name and a new list of services.

Longtime Community Access Program (CAP) sites ‘Open for Business’ in Yarmouth and Barrington was transformed into Youth Services Centres in September of 2003 due to a change in funding focus. The locations remain the same and similar entrepreneurial services that were offered at Open for Business are provided at Youth Services Centres to youth between the ages of 15 - 30. The centres assist youth with a variety of job and career support. Youth Services Centres continually helps to promote the importance of CAP to our southwest shore region. The two locations are essential to the continuation and effectiveness of the program. Manager of the Youth Services Centres in both locations, Sonya Vaschel-Uzun, gives her unwavering support of the Community Access Program.

Youth Services Centre

"The Community Access Program CAP plays an intricate role at the Youth Services Centres. CAP is a resource that not only allows clients to navigate the Internet for employment and career opportunities at no cost, but it provides clients independence to work on documents such as resumes and cover letter in a self-directed manner under the guidance of a Youth Worker/Consultant. Therefore, the client is learning by doing (OFB inspired) which is a common theme that we encourage at YSC! During the summer months we are privileged to host 3 summer students who will be focusing efforts on allowing our clients to become more knowledgeable in the use of computers and navigating the Internet to its full potential. Planning is underway to offer clients a Business Camp in Yarmouth and a Cyber Camp in Barrington." For more information, please call 742-5442 or email at youth@swsyouth.info