Computer CORE was incorporated in Alexandria, VA in 1999. Our work with the City of Alexandria and many Alexandria businesses, sponsors, and partners including CORE’s first stand-alone location partner, Fairlington Presbyterian Church, provided CORE the environment to thrive and grow. Over time, CORE has helped over 5,500 adults along the pathway to better wages and careers.
All CORE programming is available free to residents of the City of Alexandria, who make up about 25% of our students.
CORE operates on a lean budget relying on a small and very motivated staff to coordinate the work of up to 100 dedicated volunteers per year. Volunteers teach courses, refurbish computers, and provide all kinds of critical support including technical, administrative, design, writing, web, and outreach. Computer equipment and most classroom space is typically donated. Since 2020, classroom space has moved to virtual.
- The City of Alexandria
- ACT for Alexandria’s Alexandria Resilience Fund
- Spring2ACTion online giving day
- Mason Hirst Foundation
- Maple Tree Fund
- Hess Collins Family Fund
- Alexandria Rotary Club
- Alexandria Central Rotary Club
Justin Wilson, Mayor, City of Alexandria and Advisory Board member, spoke at Computer CORE’s 20th Anniversary event.
Computer CORE’s Tech Help Desk for Alexandria residents is now live and ready to accept tickets. See www.computercore.org/help-desk. This service is staffed by “Digital Navigators”: CORE’s own students who receive weekly training on help desk functions.
Alexandria’s Workforce Development Center (AWDC) is a source of paid work-based learning internships for CORE students to further their learning by interning at CORE.
Alexandria Central Rotary Club funded computer training “Boot Camps” and free computers for job-seeking city residents.
Friends of Guest House women receive no cost computer training from Computer CORE staff, interns and volunteers.
Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria (CCNA) assists CORE with online tutors and community forums. CCNA’s Executive Director Col. Jim Paige is a member of CORE’s Advisory Board and CORE’s Executive Director is a member of CCNA’s Board of Directors.
Fairlington Presbyterian Church, where CORE began, recently contacted CORE regarding returning our computer refurbishment lab to the church basement. The lab is used by Lead Volunteer Refurbisher Lonnie Henley – who has prepared over 550 computers for no cost distribution to CORE’s adult students since March 2020 – and a small staff & volunteer team.
- Alexandria City’s Job Board
- One-on-One Career Coaching and Access to Job Training Classes: Call 703.746.5990 or email wdc@alexandriava.gov
- Job Readiness and Essential Skills Workshops and Webinars
- Find jobs through the Virginia Workforce Connection
- Find careers that best fit your background and explore job requirements, earnings, and opportunities at the Career Concourse
- Job Training Assistance through VA Ready
- Alexandria Workforce Development Center (AWDC)
- Follow City of Alexandria on Twitter for additional opportunities
- The Zebra newspaper and online resource
- The City of Alexandria
- Housing and rent assistance, food assistance, and other services from Alexandria City
Computer CORE is a member of a number of Alexandria groups and associations that offer networking, increasing opportunities for outreach, connection within the community, and collaboration.
- Alexandria Coalition for Human Service Organizations (ACHSO)
- West End Business Association (WEBA)
- Old Town Business Association
- Alexandria Central Rotary Club
- Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
