Access to technology and digital skills is no longer optional—it’s essential for education, employment, and navigating everyday life. But for many residents in low-income housing, these resources remain out of reach. At the Asheboro Housing Authority (AHA), residents voiced a clear need: they wanted to learn how to use computers and gain internet access at home to search for jobs, support their families, and connect with online services.

In response, Randolph County Cooperative Extension partnered with AHA to bring back a second round of the Computer Basics and Chromebooks course. This six-hour, hands-on class was part of the NC Digital Futures Program.

Led by Hannah Bradley, Digital Skills Educator in Randolph County, the class was designed to build digital skills from the ground up in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. Participants learned to:

• Navigate a Chromebook

• Set up and use email

• Manage files and documents

• Stay safe online

• Use Google Docs

• Search and apply for jobs

At the end of the course, each of the seven adult participants received their own Chromebook to keep—ensuring they could continue practicing their skills and accessing the internet from home.

Each participant had a powerful story. One student, a recent cancer survivor who had just earned her degree from a local community college, planned to use her new Chromebook to begin job hunting in her field. Another participant, a mother seeking remote work opportunities, shared that this was her first-ever home computer—a tool that could open the door to virtual employment and new stability for her family.

Results That Matter

This second round of the program did more than teach computer basics. It empowered seven Asheboro residents with the tools and confidence to shape their own digital futures. Whether they are supporting their children’s education, applying for jobs, or exploring remote work, these participants now have the digital foundation to take their next steps.

This story underscores the continued importance of local, accessible digital skills training—and the lasting impact it can have when rooted in the communities it serves.

To learn more about the NC Digital Futures Program, visit:

👉 NC Digital Futures Program Website