For instance, I, have found having this computer essential in many ways. As part of the CAP (certified account) program I have a required job log to fill weekly, in which I have to make up to 20 job contacts. This would be impossible if not for having internet access at home, for I have no vehicle. I regularly visit such sites as Missouri Career Source, Monster, and Snagajob for these contacts. Also, I send resumes and fill out applications through these resources. I have just recently gained employment and have another offer available because I had these resources available. Another huge impact this has had is, because I was able to participate fully in the CAP program, I became eligible and was referred for the WIA program. The WIA program is making it possible for me to go back to college, fully paid for-NO LOANS- for two years. During this time, it is my goal to receive both my Associate in Arts/Business Administration and Associate in Applied Science/Accounting degrees. I will be enrolled at Crowder College in June '09. I have found many resources available on the internet to aide in studying to prepare for my COMPASS test. I used the internet also to research the local colleges, make initial contact with the colleges, and make an educated choice to which college I would be attending. Once I start in school in June '09 it will be absolutely essential that I have the computer available here at home. Going to school full-time, working part-time, and being a single mother, leaves little time to go to public library or make much use of the computer labs at the college. Other ways in which this computer benefits me is that I am able to keep track of my electric bill online. Being able to look up that information at any given time is helpful.

The internet also comes in handy when the children become ill, I can research before rushing them off to the doctor when it may have been unnecessary to do so. Having two children with severe environmental allergies being able to go online to see the pollen/mold count is wonderful as well. Not to mention, since we do not have cable, being able to look online @ weather.com to keep track of severe weather has been a blessing, esp. during tornado season.

This computer also benefits my toddler, Donovan. We believe he may have ADHD. I have an extremely hard time trying to work with him on preparing for preschool/kindergarten. He does not have the attention span to sit and write out letters (ABCs) or his numbers. He will not sit and color. However, by use of nickjr.com, noggin.com, and other sites Donovan has excelled, making great progress. I am told the difference is having the interactive environment with the lights and sounds and the praise of Dora (for example). He is improving his speech as well. He is even learning Spanish! This has been very exciting for us.

My oldest, Stephen, who is in 4th grade has had a hard time in math during the latter part of this school year. I have found sites that help to "tutor" him, give him a different prospective on how to find the mathematical solutions. At one point during the school year they began story writing in school, and poetry. Although he has a great imagination I was having a difficult time getting him motivated. So I found a few sites where children post poetry and short stories they had written. This REALLY got him excited about writing. As a result, on April 17th, Stephen will be doing a public reading of a poem he wrote for a school assignment. It is part of the honor choir. He was so proud of what he had accomplished, and he writes all the time now for his own pleasure. I don't believe this would have happened if I had not the tools and resources available to me through having this computer and internet service available to me.

(From a resident at Elmwood Estates.)