1 / 39

Using Technology Programs in Community Development

Using Technology Programs in Community Development. Andrew Sears, Liza Cagua & Rob Robinson Association of Christian Community Computer Centers CCDA 2002. Outline. Why are technology programs important for community development? What are Christian community computer centers?

meir
Download Presentation

Using Technology Programs in Community Development

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Using Technology Programs in Community Development Andrew Sears, Liza Cagua & Rob Robinson Association of Christian Community Computer Centers CCDA 2002

  2. Outline • Why are technology programs important for community development? • What are Christian community computer centers? • Grant program for computers • Resources for computer centers

  3. The Problem of the “Digital Divide” Familiarity with technology is no longer optional for successfully maneuvering the modern society • Technology brings competitive advantages in everyday living • Over 65% of all jobs now require the use of computers The “digital divide” is the gap that separates those with access and training on computers and the Internet from those without • As gaps in economic and educational opportunity have continued to widen, so has the Digital Divide

  4. Computer Literacy and Technical Ability • What we all once were! • Intimidated by technology in general • No access • Perhaps places little value on computer skills Non-User Users • Can operate a PC • Uses word processing, spreadsheets • Email & surfs the internet • Online research, adv. Searches • General understanding of how • the computer works • Able to troubleshoot problems • Uses new technologies Comfort level with technology Power Users • Advanced troubleshooting • Tech aficionado • Career in IT Expert

  5. Benefits to Computer Access and Training Economic Opportunity Employment skills Language & literacy, Creative outlets • Educational Advancement • Access to online resources and services Personal Empowerment Participation in online communities Partnership & Support

  6. The term “Sunday School” originated from a major literacy drive by the church in the 1800’s • Books Basic Literacy • Computers Computer Literacy The Church and the Digital Divide

  7. Christian Community Computer Centers • Definition of Christian Community Computer Centers: any ministry using computers as an outreach to serve the community • There are over 2,000 community computer centers in the US and over 300 of these are Christian centers and the vast majority have developed in the last 5 years • Range from ministries with less than 5 computers to ministries with over 50 computers

  8. Computer Refurbishing Computer Ministries Entrepreneurship Programs Computer Classes Arts/Media Ministry Churches After School Programs Job Training Teen Programs Gospel Missions Walk-in Computer Access Adult Education Christian Community Computer Centers

  9. Outreach Computer Ministries • Outreach Computer Ministry • Defined: Outreach Computer ministries are teams of volunteers or staff that support community computer centers • Many churches can have “Outreach Computer Ministries” without having computer centers (good ratio is three computer ministries to one computer center) • Establishing Computer Ministries within churches provides a great opportunity for teens and adults to volunteer • Great partnership opportunity for suburban and urban churches • Classes provide good opportunity for volunteers

  10. Media Ministry Sound Team Business Ministries Technology Ministries Arts/Graphics Ministry Computer Ministry (outreach) Computer Ministry (internal) Technology/ Business Luncheons Online Evangelism

  11. Grant Program

  12. AC4 Grants Partnership for Computers • AC4 is working on a collaboration with the Beaumont Foundation which would provide new computers to existing tech programs • Beaumont will provide $350 million of computers to schools, community and faith-based groups in the next four years • Grants will range from $20,000-$100,000 each and be provided in the form of new equipment only (no cash).

  13. Grant Program: Requirements • Must have tech program in operation for one year before applying • Must be 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or have 170(c)(1) or 170(c)(2) status • Must have at least one full-time staff person to assist with tech program • Computers are intended to be used by program participants primarily rather than staff • Must be in first 25 states to apply in 2003 or second 25 in 2004 (see list on sheet)

  14. Grant Program: Details • Applications Due: February 28, 2003 • No restrictions on faith • Christian schools may apply if serving primarily a low-income community (50%) • Organizations can collaborate on proposals if all will participate and benefit • Emphasis on collaborations with schools

  15. Grant Program: Application Process • Current plan is to have sites apply to AC4 with final approval by Beaumont Foundation • Applications will be available online through link AC4’s website at www.ac4.org or at www.bmtfoundation.org • Start writing now

  16. Grant Program Details • $24.5 million available in 2003 to community groups (likely same in 2004) • Will result in 70-330 grants • We expect over 1,000 applicants • Likely to have close to $49 million available each year to community groups in 2005 and 2006 • Beaumont Foundation to end operations after 2006

  17. Grant Criteria (tentative) • Clarity (2 points) • Benefits (5 points) • Leadership (8 points) • Collaboration (4 points) • Content (5 points) • Expected Outcomes (5 points) • Evaluation (3 points) • Staff (6 points) • Staff Development (6 points) • Feasibility (5 points) • Sustainability (5 points)

  18. AC4 Support in Grant Process • AC4 will support grant recipients through: • Information Distribution • Assistance in Applying for Grant • Training • Curriculum Materials and Manual • Capacity Building Manual • Two full-time staff to support sites

  19. Consultants: Competencies Outside Your Organization • When and how to bring in specialists from outside your ministry. • Different kinds of consultants. • Different levels of help: • Do it yourself/Volunteer grant writers. • Do it yourself with outside editing. • Pay them to do it.

  20. Resources

  21. Joining AC4 • Must be AC4 member to apply through AC4 • Join for free until Nov. 15 online at www.ac4.org • Joining will cost $20-50 after Nov. 15 depending on organization size • For more information use sign-up sheet or send E-mail to info@ac4.org

  22. Other Grants for Tech Programs • Visit Grants Page at AC4’s Website at • http://www.ac4.org/resources/grants.html • Visit Your Local Grant Library • List at fdncenter.org/collections/ • Subscribe to Tech Grants Newsletter at: • www.imakenews.com/techfoundation/ • List of Tech Grants at: • www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2comptec.htm

  23. General Discounted Software • AC4 Discounted Software Info Page • www.ac4.org/resources/software.html • Software to Serve Participants and Community • Get $30 most Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec products • At www.computmentor.org and at www.giftsinkind.org • Software for staff • Get copies of Microsoft Office XP Professional for $65 • Order at www.CCBNonprofits.com

  24. Computer Donations • Gifts in Kind International (www.giftsinkind.com) • Cost $125 to register and must be Non profit 501(c)(3) and use software for service to community • Cost $225 for 5 used computers 486 & above laptops/desktops • Network hubs for $50 • Provide great discounts (90% off) on office products, projectors, clothes, etc. • Computer Refurbishing • Accept computers along with clothes other donations • Have a minimal acceptance standard (I.e Pentium or above) • Request written agreement they are transferring software license with computer

  25. Web Site Filtering Software • Filtering Service by Promise Keepers (pkfamily.com) • $5.95 per month for existing DSL or cable modem connection • Filtered dial-up Internet access for $15.95 • Filtering Server or Client Software • CleanWeb (www.cleanweb.net) • CyberPatrol (www.microsys.com) • Cybersitter (www.solidoak.com) • CyberSnoop (www.pearlsw.com) • Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com) • Net Shepherd (www.netshepherd.com) • Safesurf (www.safesurf.com) • Watchdog (www.sarna.com) • We Blocker (free at www.we-blocker.com) • X-Stop (www.xstop.com)

  26. Becoming a Certified MOUS Testing Center • MOUS Certification in Microsoft Office • Costs $495 to become a certified testing center • comes with 10 tests & practice software • Additional tests are $50 each • To sign up call Alex McCabe at DDC Training Services (800-528-3897 ext. 315) • ask for their application and order form to become an iQ Testing Center for MOUS Exams

  27. Other Good Tech Discounts • Low-cost LCD Projector • Plus Vision (Lightware Series): $1,00 • Low-cost E-Commerce • Microsoft bCentral FrontPage Commerce Manager ($100 per year for 25 items) using Card Services International (3.5% with no monthly fee)

  28. Association of Christian Community Computer Centers • Mission: • To support and promote the use of computers and technology in Christian outreach ministries • To assist the 200+ identified existing Christian community computer centers and help others get started • To partner with national organizations to support Christian computer centers • Web: www.ac4.org • E-mail: info@ac4.org

  29. Locations of Christian Computer Centers

  30. Benefits of AC4 Membership • TRAINING to better run your computer center • conferences, workshops and conference calls • RESOURCES • Info on equipment, grant information and software hardware donation information. • Computer Curriculum manual • Capacity building manual for your tech center • COLLABORATION and COMMUNICATION • conference calls • E-mail list • Website

  31. Benefits of AC4 Membership • GRANTS • Ability to participate in grants program including grants for new computers • PARTICIPATION in future programs • Currently investigating program to provide full-time Americorps staff to computer centers • ASSISTANCE • Starting a computer ministry • Consulting to improve your computer center • Web design

  32. Other Information Resources and Networks • Association of Christian Community Computer Centers • E-mail List: www.ac4.org • Community Technology Centers Network www.ctcnet.org • Good E-mail list and go to national conference each June • Provides Community Technology Center start up manual • Youth Learn: www.youthlearn.org • Provides manual and E-mail list for youth and technology • Compumentor: www.compumentor.org • Provides technology information to non-profits • Visit HUD’s Neighborhood Networks at www.neighborhoodnetworks.org • Adult Literacy E-mail Lists: literacy.nifl.gov/forums.html • NTIA Report: “Falling through the Net” • www.digitaldivide.gov/reports.htm

  33. Appendix

  34. Digital Divide

  35. Computer Industry*** Manufacturing Jobs Down 55-65%* Jobs Grown to 7.4 million & Increasing 6.5% per year Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%** 65% of all jobs use computers 90% of all jobs use computer- related technologies * In a range of Northern cities between 1967-1987, When Work Disappears ** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago *** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce Information Economy

  36. Average wage in IT-producing industries was $58,000 346,000 IT jobs remain vacant nationwide and 1.7 million need to be filled by 2003 Information Economy Computer Industry*** Manufacturing Jobs Down 55-65%* Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%** * In a range of Northern cities between 1967-1987, When Work Disappears ** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago *** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce

More Related