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

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

7. 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

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. 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

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 Arts/Graphics Ministry Computer Ministry (outreach) 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 AC4’s 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@ac4.org

23. 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

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@ac4.org

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 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

35. Appendix

36. Digital Divide

38. 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

39. 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