SPOTLIGHT ON PARENTS COMPUTER PROGRAM GRADS TAKE PRIDE IN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

While their children plan to advance soon to the next grade, some 30 parents of Pacoima Charter Elementary School students already received their own ``graduation'' certificates.

Accompanied by mariachi music and congratulatory praise, the parents celebrated their completion of a 60-hour computer training program through the Youth Policy Institute's Valley Family Technology Project directed by Mario Matute.

Established three years ago, the project has trained some 350 parents in computer technology to better assist their schoolchildren in their studies, as well as to improve their own computer and job skills. The program also provides for families of the computer-training graduates to receive free computers, as well as free Internet service for a year and technical support.

Gloria Lazalde, director of adult services for the policy institute, said the computer give-away is extremely valuable because many of the families cannot afford personal computers and their children must rely on neighborhood libraries to use computers.

``The effect has been tremendous for the children,'' Lazalde said. ``Most libraries have six computers or so -- and 30 children waiting for them.''

For some of the computer program graduates, Lazalde said the certificate ceremony is the first formal recognition they have ever received for an achievement.

``They bring their children (to the ceremony), their grandparents,'' Lazalde said. ``A lot of them are very proud of their accomplishment. It's their first certificate. It's a great self-esteem thing for the whole family.''

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Proud parents who have completed a 60-hour computer-training program celebrate their achievement at Pacoima Charter Elementary School.

Marco Polo/Special to Valley News