Using donated computers, youths explore technology in a six-week program at Cops & Kids Youth Center.
By TERRI D. REEVES
Published June 20, 2003
TARPON SPRINGS - On Thursday a group of young teens came face to face with David A. Demers, chief judge of the judicial circuit for Pinellas and Pasco counties.
But they didn't see him because they had gotten in trouble. Instead, they were showing off their successful initiation into the digital culture.
The teens were part of a six-week computer training program at the Cops & Kids Youth Center, 555 E Harrison St. The summer program teaches the adolescents to operate, repair and build computers. When they graduate, they have a new computer to take home. Most graduates still come to the center daily to teach their peers, play and learn.
Tommy Armstrong, 15, is a whiz at computer games. The judge watched intently as Tommy played and made his way to the final level of a Greek village game. But what really wowed the judge was that Tommy had built his own motherboard.
"It truly amazes me that these guys can build these things," he said. "I am very impressed."
The judge visited the youths partly to spread some good will and partly to help deliver some used court equipment. Court officials are replacing 11 desktop computers, 13 laptops, seven scanners and monitors, all mostly 3 and 4 years old, with newer equipment. They decided to donate the old equipment to the Cops & Kids program.
"It could have been sold but I can't think of a better use than to give it to the kids to use," Demers said. "This is our first donation to the program but I hope it won't be the last."
Larry Allen, a self-taught computer repairman who runs the computer program, will disassemble the donated computers and teach the students to rebuild them. The program is designed for economically disadvantaged youths from ages 11 to 18 who might not otherwise have access to the wired world.
Selected individuals attend a six-week training program. So far, 16 have graduated from the 2-year-old summer program. Three are girls.
At 13, Mary Farley enjoys chat sessions with friends on the Internet.
"I joined (the program) because I wanted to have a computer of my own but couldn't afford one," she said.
Charles Williams, 17, loves to download music. Before participating in the program, he said he knew nothing about computers.
"I didn't even know how to turn a computer on," he said.
Tarpon Springs police Chief Mark LeCouris selects the program participants.
"Right now there is a waiting list," he said. "Hopefully this will lead to computer careers for some of them, but basically it keeps them busy in a positive way."
To help
For information on donating computer equipment to the Tarpon Springs Cops & Kids program, call (727) 934-4800.
