Using Technology Programs in Community Development

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
(No Transcript)
5
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
6
Benefits to Computer Access and Training

• Employment skills

Economic Opportunity
Language literacy, Creative outlets
Educational Advancement
Access to online resources and services
Personal Empowerment
Participation in online communities
Partnership Support
7
The Church and the Digital Divide
8
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

9
Christian Community Computer Centers
10
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

11
Media Ministry
Sound Team
Business Ministries
Technology Ministries
Computer Ministry (outreach)
Arts/Graphics Ministry
Computer Ministry (internal)
Technology/ Business Luncheons
Online Evangelism
12
Grant Program
13
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).

14
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)

15
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

16
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 AC4s website at www.ac4.org or at
  www.bmtfoundation.org
• Start writing now

17
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

18
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)

19
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

20
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.

21
Resources
22
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_at_ac4.org

23
Other Grants for Tech Programs

• Visit Grants Page at AC4s 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

24
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

25
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

26
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)

27
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

28
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)

29
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_at_ac4.org

30
(No Transcript)
31
Locations of Christian Computer Centers
32
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

33
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

34
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 HUDs Neighborhood Networks at
  www.neighborhoodnetworks.org
• Adult Literacy E-mail Lists literacy.nifl.gov/for
  ums.html
• NTIA Report Falling through the Net
• www.digitaldivide.gov/reports.htm

35
Appendix
36
Digital Divide
37
(No Transcript)
38
Information Economy
39
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