Joesph Kelly is the executive director of C.A.S.H. (Civic Association Serving Harlem) C.A.S.H. which is a community - based diagnostic location evaluation program in HarlemTech. HarlemTech is a computer basic learning program that has been in existence for over ten years, that helps young adults who are interested in maintenance and repair of computers.

HL: How did you start this program?
Joesph: This program was started through an association with a colleague's friend of mine named Brenda Pierce. She had gotten us interested in basic repair and maintenance just for teenagers. That's when we had the program that has evolved into what we have now, which is HarlemTech.

HL: So, is it just technical, dealing with repairing computers and programming...
Joesph: That's just one aspect of it, now we are trying to reach out to all people, young and old, in our community because, as most people know, our community is behind a lot of times in the availability of technology. They have to recognize that the year 2000 is upon us and you can't live in a society without being associated with some form of technology.

HL: That's understandable. So what are the age preferences or requirements for your program?
Joesph: Well, we're looking to enroll young adults from the ages 9 to 19 years old, but we're willing to let anyone in, regardless of age, who are eager and willing to learn about computers and their repair.

HL: Say that someone attends your program and learns as much as they can, do you then refer them to someplace else?
Joesph: We do just that. There are many colleges and programs that can aid a person with advance training. We are just the first 2 or 3 steps to helping a person achieve their goal(s) with computers.

HL: Are there any words of advice that you can give to the people, young and old, who may be reading this article?
Joesph: I think that it's very important that young adults look back at the concept of "each one, teach one" and "each one, reach one". Anything that they know could be of value, in a positive sense, to another young person. They do need to share that information. We are looking at a new millennium, the year 2000 is coming, a whole new history is getting ready to open up to us. And we need to take advantage of it while we can.

In my personal opinion, I believe that C.A.S.H. is an excellent place for anybody to learn computer skills or to expand on what they already know. It is a very positive place that will encourage people to tell their friends about it!! If you want to find out more information, you can contact me at lsparrow@harlemlive.org or call (212)864- 5850.