RECOVERING ADDICTS BUILD HIGH-TECH BRIDGE TO NEW LIFE

HICKORY - Less than two months out of prison, Ernest Norwood still
can't believe his luck with computers.

He had been in and out of jail for 20 of his 36 years, mainly for
burglary and breaking and entering, and had little in the way of job
skills. Computers intimidated him.

But now, Norwood is on his way to becoming a certified computer
technician thanks to Exodus Homes. The Hickory-based program provides
transitional housing for recovering substance abusers.

Exodus Homes just launched an information technology apprenticeship
program for its residents, a project that has the potential to be a
national model, its organizers said.

"The Lord has blessed me with an opportunity," said Norwood, whose
easy smile contradicted the word "Tuff" tattooed on his right arm. "I
feel it's going to work out."

Only four groups in the nation received a grant for the
apprenticeship program from the U.S. Department of Labor, said Susan
Smith, the assistant executive director at Exodus Homes. And Exodus
Homes is the only nonprofit group among the four.

The $73,000 federal grant, coupled with $10,000 from the Foundation
for the Carolinas, allowed Exodus Homes to launch Exodus IT Services
last month.

Exodus IT Services is the vocational training business run by Exodus
Homes. The apprentices are paid employees of the two-year program and
can stay in it as long as they remain Exodus Homes residents.

Smith hopes the residents stay on at Exodus IT after they complete
the program to teach the next wave of apprentices.

Before they could take computers apart, however, some members of the
program needed to learn how to type or turn on a computer. Six
residents are training on computer repair, and a seventh is learning
to be an office manager.

The Rev. Reggie Longcrier, executive director of Exodus Homes, said
the program allows residents to improve themselves so they can earn a
living wage while raising their self-esteem.

That's the case for Teresa Bowen, 39, who works as the office
manager. After years of using alcohol and cocaine, she said, "I
didn't think I'd ever be able to do something like this."

But Bowen wanted to change her life, and praised the program and the
group's instructor, Dorrie Hasty.

The residents are all eager to learn, Hasty said, which makes her job easier.

By March 1, residents should be certified to handle basic repairs on
individual computers. In another eight weeks, they will be certified
to work on computer networks.

Exodus IT hopes the community will donate used computer equipment for
its projects. That's what they use to practice on. Then they will
donate refurbished computers to needy people in the area, Smith said.

And all of the Exodus Homes' 57 residents can take basic computer
literacy classes at the project's offices on Second St. N.W. in
Hickory. She said the program could prove to be an example of how to
provide computer training to special populations such as the people
in recovery at Exodus Homes.

Maybe Norwood can show them what to do.

"I never thought I'd get into a field like this," he said. "I'm not
intimidated no more."