New Laptop Awarded to Portage County Every Citizen Online Participant

On Tuesday, July 12, Connect Ohio presented Brandy Archer of Kent City with a new laptop computer during a short media event at the Community Action Council of Portage County. Archer was selected as a winner in a random drawing following her participation in the Every Citizen Online program, a free statewide basic computer and Internet training program.

“It’s not everyday things like winning a new laptop happen to me,” said Archer. “Being without a job since August of 2010, I was given the opportunity to take classes at CTLC for my MOS certifications. I also took the Every Citizen Online (ECO) classes and continue going back to help the ECO instructor train other new computer users. I am hopeful winning the laptop will get me one step closer to achieving my return to the workforce.”

Archer is the third of 12 Ohio adults to receive a new laptop. Connect Ohio is distributing the 12 computers to participants of the Every Citizen Online free basic computer-training program between April 5 and June 20, 2011. Program participants completed an online survey following the training and were entered into the random drawing giveaway.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to provide free computer training to residents of Portage County through the ECO/Connect Ohio program,” said David Shea, Community Action Council of Portage County executive director. “Brandy has worked very hard and is continuing to take advanced classes at our technology training center in Microsoft Office leading to full-time employment. I can’t think of a more deserving person to win a free computer through the program.”

Pictured left to right: Regina Holliday, CAC of Portage County program coordinator, Jeff Beebe, Connect Ohio state operations manager, David Shea, CAC of Portage County director, Brandy Archer, winner, Rob Besaw, Every Citizen Online instructor, and Frank Singletary, Every Citizen Online instructor