Grand Opening, Mt. Airy Community Computer Center

Posted by on October 27, 2006

The Mt Airy Community Computer Center (MACCC), a 7 year old nonprofit which has been providing computer education and access opportunities in Northwest Philadelphia, will hold the official opening of their new technology center on First Friday in Mt Airy, November 3, between 6 and 8 P.M. The new offices are at 17 East Mt Pleasant Street in the lower level of the Mt Airy Presbyterian Church andcombine MACCC?s former Germantown and Mt Airy technology centers into one.

MACCC Executive Director, Reverend Richard Fernandez, announced that Greg Goldman, Mt Airy resident and CEO of Wireless Philadelphia, will take part in MACCC?s official opening. Wireless Philadelphia is the new nonprofit organization charged with implementing the city?s ambitious plan to ?connect” all 135 square miles of Philadelphia with affordable high speed Internet access. Goldman commented that ?Wireless Philadelphia is developing a grass roots strategy to provide training, technical support, and computers to low income citizens across the City, and it is groups like MACCC that will be of great importance to this very large challenge.?

At the November 3rd Open House, neighbors will have an opportunity to tour the new Center. In addition, there will be drawings for computer-related prizes and free refreshments.

The Center serves a wide range of constituents including older adults, ex-offenders, women in recovery, and children to further its mission to ?close the Digital Divide between advantaged and disadvantaged neighbors.? Howard Bilofsky, MACCC Board Chair, said that ?adults and children must have a reasonable level of technology awareness and access to ensure the technology works for them and so they can be truly literate and involved members of the community as well as to compete for jobs, complete school assignments, and make application for educational and financial assistance and numerous other important everyday tasks.?

Beginning November 8th MACCC will offer Open Access for the community on Tuesday and Friday evenings between 6 and 8 PM. This means community members may come to the Center to use the computers at no charge; MACCC personnel will provide support and assistance. Those wishing to take advantaged of the Open Access opportunity should call the Center to reserve computer time.

MACCC?s number is: 215 247 0870.