To date the program has opened 35 computer labs, has trained 109 "computer mentors" who assist people who want to use the labs, and has 1,516 active computer lab users, Shreve said.
She said getting people to understand how broadband access can benefit them is a big challenge. Shreve told the story of a senior citizen who visited the computer lab at Ghent. Shreve asked him to ask a question. The senior said he was overwhelmed and couldn't think of anything to ask.
Shreve asked the man what his first car was. He replied that it was a 1952 Chevrolet. As they talked, Shreve put photos of 1952 Chevys on the computer screen. The senior got teary eyed when he saw what looked just like his first car.
By then, Shreve had printed out a picture of the car. She handed it to him. "He said he always wanted a picture of that car but didn't have a camera back then and couldn't afford one," Shreve said. "This was the moment broadband became relevant to him."
Shreve said many volunteer firemen are using the computer labs to take required classes and some elderly clients with chronic diseases are learning ways to better manage their health. For some others, broadband is a source of entertainment.
Council member Lee Fisher of Braxton County asked, "What are the top things families give you for not taking broadband?"
Shreve said, "The first thing is, they can't afford it. The second is, they don't have a computer."
O'Hanlon thanked Shreve for the presentation. "You're clearly doing wonderful work in West Virginia," he said.
Future Generations has partnered with numerous other organizations, including the West Virginia Library Commission. More information about the Future Generations program is online at www.future.edu, www.future.org or www.futurewv.org."