Senior citizens and children who attend an after-school program will now have 11 new computers to use in the Salvation Army's Westside Worship and Service Center in the Fairywood neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

The computers, with Internet access and e-mail as well as work stations and software, were funded by a $25,000 grant from the Target Foundation.

"This will have such a huge impact on the children in this area," said Capt. Earnest Fullwood, commanding officer at the Salvation Army's Westside center, 1821 Broadhead Fording Road.

Every day after school, 25 to 30 children have been using the computer lab, and about 30 senior citizens are regular users. The computer lab has been open for about five years, but the new computers are a vast improvement over what has been in use, Salvation Army officials said.

Children use computers to help with their homework, Capt. Fullwood said, and seniors have been taught how to use the Internet.

With the new computers, the Salvation Army hopes to expand the program to "assist low-income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency by offering low-cost computer training, resume assistance and assistance with interviewing skills," he said.

Some senior citizens who have used the old computers in the lab attended the Oct. 29 dedication ceremony for the new equipment.

"I hope you will become mentors for the children who come here after school," Maj. Robert J. Reel, divisional commander for the Salvation Army, told them. "I promise you there will be a child that you can influence who will always remember you and thank you."

Three representatives from Target attended the dedication.

Chris Staples, district team leader for Target stores, said the stores donate 5 percent of their profits to the local community, which comes to more than $3 million per week.

Target also has donated millions to the Salvation Army's disaster relief fund, Maj. Reel said.

Pittsburgh City Council member Theresa Smith, who attended the dedication, said, "It's crucial for the Salvation Army to be here.

This computer center is just the beginning of what is going to happen in Fairywood. We have a commitment from the mayor's office to put HUD homes here."

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