(Reprinted from Seeds of Change, W.K. Kellogg Foundation)

Coal miners and third graders have a lot more in common in Price's Fork, Va., these days. Computer technology has connected old and young through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Managing Information with Rural America (MIRA) initiative.

"We were able to bring the generations together through a grassroots organization and a school to strengthen the fabric of the community. The computers were the instruments that allowed this to happen," says Andy Morikawa, executive director, Community Foundation of the New River Valley, Blacksburg, Va. "As a result of this project, other community groups are looking at ways to bring diverse groups together."

The "CONNECTING" project began more than a year ago, when third graders from Price's Fork Elementary School were linked with members of the Montgomery County Coal Miners Heritage Association. Students spent time with the coal miners at the school, interviewing them and learning more about their heritage. Then, the students took a field trip to a working coal mine to see, as well as hear, about the mining profession.

In phase two of the program, adults from the coal mining community got a lesson. With funding from the MIRA grant, organizers of the project bought computer equipment and set up a computer lab at the school, as well as developed a computer literacy program. Weekly classes were held for community members and youngsters to learn computer skills. Participants during the summer computer classes ranged in age from 25 to 83.

"This project has been just great. Everyone that enrolled in the computer class received good information. We appreciated the chance to work with the computers and learn more about the technology," says Frederick Lawson, vice president of the Montgomery County Coal Miners Heritage Association. Lawson has since purchased a computer. "We have a lot of history to share with the students and they seemed to enjoy it."

"This has been one of the best things to happen to our community," adds Dollie Cottrill, principal, Price's Fork Elementary School. "This was an opportunity for us to have adults in the school building this summer. Many of them do not have children in school, and this was an opportunity to show them what we are doing here."

Now that school is back in session, Cottrill says they hope to continue the program in some way. They are currently looking for a volunteer director to work with the computer program so the school can continue to provide services on an ongoing basis for parents and other adults. The computers will also be used by the students this year.

"This project couldn't have worked any better for us," says Cottrill. "You hear that technology can be isolating, but we found that technology was an impetus for pulling people together. Our community has really been enriched from this activity."