Fall 2003 - Carson-Newman College

It seems like everything is high-techthese days. It’s “dot-com” this, and“dot-com” that.In Jefferson City, Samaritan House(an auxiliary service of Carson-NewmanCollege) has upgraded its ministry opportunitiesfrom traditional homeless servicessuch as a shelter and food pantry to includecomputer training.“The computer ministry isdesigned to assist persons whoneed to work toward theirGED (general educationdegree) certificate or thosewho need to gain computerskills in order to qualify for betterjobs,” explains JaneAlbright, a volunteer whoserves as director of theComputer Skills Center. “It’sseen as an advantage to localemployers because it creates apool of qualified workers. And,as with every ministry ofSamaritan House, this is a wayto reach out to those in difficultsituations and express the loveof Christ.”The center got its humblestart when Albright came toSamaritan House to donate anold printer.“I just offered to get it set up andrunning for them when they asked me if I’dbe interested in helping them build a computertraining center,” she remembers.“Then, they gave me this old storage roomfull of furniture, and I didn’t know what Iwas going to do.”Albright had faith that everythingwould work out, and sure enough,everything began to fall into place.“It’s amazing how people kept showingup with whatever we needed,” Albrightsays. “We had no money, but then wereceived two gifts of $1,000 each and agrant. Then, Will Rabenstein volunteeredto build the computer room.”Other volunteers chipped in to helpcreate the facility. Now, the room hascarpet, paint and wallpaper, not to mentionshelves and desks full of computers andprinters donated by people and businessesin the community.Samaritan HouseUpgrades Clients’“Richard, ‘98, and Debra Smirl, ownersof Jefferson City’s One More Byte, volunteeredto update the used computers andkeep them running for us,” Albright says.“Now, when students graduate from ourComputer Skills Center, we try to give themthe computer and printer they worked on.”With the room built and ready to go, itwas time to recruit students. However,Albright didn’t even need to advertise.“Students just started knocking on thedoor,” she says. “Some people who come infor the computer ministry are people in thecommunity who have stayed at SamaritanHouse before or have benefited from itsother services. Others come in becausethey’re trying to get better jobs and cannotafford training.”Despite varying levels of studentability, Albright has her routine down pat.“I interview the student and set a levelof competency, from basic to advanced,”she explains. “Then, we set goals of whatSkillsBy Lesli Bales SherrodOther Samaritan House upgrades include renovatingthe shelter. Hannah Hunt (right) and Crystal Hall areshown removing sheetrock as they work to remodel abedroom. The home has served more than 800 familiessince it opened in 1987.that student wants to accomplish by thetime they leave the center.”Albright broadened the center’sservices by approaching a local adulteducation center and asking to be trained totest and evaluate students working towardtheir GED certificates.“It’s a convenience issue,” Albright says.“Because I am a volunteer, I can come in atnights or on Sundays and work withstudents who may not have the opportunityor transportation to receive services at theother center during the week.”Within a year of its establishment, theComputer Skills Center was thriving. SinceJune of 2002, the center has produced 115graduates. The course includes computerbasics, word processing, graphics instruction,creating spreadsheets, formulas,graphs, tables, databases, sorting, mailmerge and other skills if requested.Although Albright is proud of the waythe computer ministry has blossomed, shehas not forgotten its humble beginnings.“The center was built on a shoestring, sodonations of used computers, monitors,printers, software and peripherals are alwaysneeded,” she says.For more information about thecomputer ministry, contact SamaritanCHouse at 865/475-5611. NThis story and photos are printed with permission from theStandard Banner newspaper, where it originally ran.13