SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College, in partnership with Agape Love in Action (ALIA), has seen its first cohort to go through the Wisdom Meets Technology program.

Wisdom Meets Technology (WMT) provides technology-training classes specifically designed for senior citizens with limited or no computer experience.

The goals of the Wisdom Meets Technology program are:

• To empower, encourage, and provide computer literacy that will allow seniors to obtain lifelong computer learning opportunities and enable them to connect with the world via the Internet.
• To provide seniors the opportunity to learn computer technology in a "senior friendly environment."
• To provide an environment that respects the wisdom of the seniors and an opportunity to learn at their own pace.
• To assist seniors who successfully complete the three-class program and have Internet capability in acquiring computers via donations and or grants.
• To effect change in the lives of seniors that after completion of the three-class program they will be able to independently perform basic tasks on the computer.

The classes were led by Corliss Udoema, President/CEO of Contract Solutions, Inc.

"Our mantra is 'it's never too late to learn!' Agape Love in Action (ALIA) developed Wisdom Meets Technology (WMT) to provide fun and interactive computer literacy classes for senior citizens that are small with individualized assistance to maximize learning," said Udoema. "At the conclusion of the three-tier course curriculum, eligible students may qualify for computer grants subject to availability of equipment."

What satisfaction does Udoema receive from seeing the success of the students? "Seeing that seniors after completion of the classes are able to independently create and respond to emails, go on line to pay bills, find information on the Internet, and converse with friends and family on Facebook. It is a blessing to share their joy and sense of accomplishment in knowing that what once seemed impossible they are now doing," said Udoema.

Here's what several of the students had to say about the program: "This was a beautiful opportunity and I am so appreciative," said Elaine Harris. Eugenia Foxx said she was fearful at first, "but they say you're never too old to learn."

For further information on the program, contact Pamela A. Fincher, Director, Trades and Corporate Training, Continuing Education, Economic and Community Development Division, at 919-718-7490 or by email at pfincher@cccc.edu.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit the website www.cccc.edu.