Assisting community-based organizations in delivering technology services
Abstract
In their efforts to revitalize and enhance low-income communities near and around the Atlanta University Center's six campus university grounds, student volunteers, assisted by AmeriCorps*VISTA members, provide information technology, computer operations system training, and Internet/Web technical assistance, as well as mentoring and tutoring. This is made possible by the community-based organizations that identify and prioritize local needs, promoting the economic and social viability of the community, and allowing for appropriate leveraging of volunteer services. This effective practice was submitted by Bermira Gates, AmeriCorps*VISTA Coordinator at the Atlanta University Center, Atlanta, Georgia in October 2002.Issue
How best to deliver technology support to low-income communities, appropriately utilizing volunteers and resources where they are most needed.Action
The Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Technology Project provides information technology, computer operations systems training, Internet/Web technical assistance, and service-learning for tutoring and mentoring of members of community-based organizations in neighborhoods adjacent to Atlanta University Center's six campus university grounds.
Atlanta University Center began this project through a partnership with the Center's University Community Development Corporation — a nonprofit group that coordinates community development projects with Atlanta University Schools — and Seedco, a national nonprofit intermediary that began its service in 1986.
Assisted by AmeriCorps*VISA members, the Seedco-HBCU partnership provides skilled students who volunteer a few hours each week to help make a positive change in the lives of local residents of low-income communities through serving community based organizations.
According to the AmeriCorps*VISTA Coordinator at Atlanta University Center, effective program practices include:
- Phase I: February - March
- Assess community needs by attending community-based organizations (cbo's) meetings
- Create a marketing plan to attract students
- Plan a project and decide on location
- Create orientation curriculum, intake materials, volunteer protocols, and activity tracking device
- Locate community-based organizations to determine the capacity of providing technology skills to residents
- Gather volunteers to help organize and recruit through the Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU)
- Create database of volunteers, community-based organizations, and other organizations willing to help for HBCU's future youth
- Begin orientation for volunteers — create training curricula and implement 1-2 new computer classes for community members' test site
- Start planning hours of tutorial programs and computer classes
- Focus on project success and sustainability
- Expand program goals; i.e. give out refurbished computers
- Promote community development careers among students
- Recruit volunteers for new sessions of mentoring and tutorials
- Locate other community-based organizations willing to help
- Research information technology grants
- Write and submit proposals to bring new technology to the community-based organizations
- Plan and prepare for the coming year's agenda and project
- Teach Historically Black College and University staff to continue recruitment efforts (especially student activity departments of each of the schools)
Context
Atlanta University Center, Inc., the oldest and largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) consortium, works to bring knowledge and empowerment skills to its constituent communities through the HBCU Technology Project.
Schools in the consortium include Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morris Brown College, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine, and the Interdenominational Theological Center.
Besides the Atlanta University Center institutions, six other out-of-state schools participate in the program, including A&M University, in Huntsville, Alabama; Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina; Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Alabama; Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida; Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi; and Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama.
Among the community organizations participating in the project are:
- Technical Outreach Community Help (TORCH) computer center, which is supported by the National Society of Black Engineers Alumni Extension Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia
- Lester J. Rodney Mentoring Center, a technology and general academic program for elementary school students
- Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation, which gives 6 to 14-year-olds homework help on the computer and provides other computer skills
- Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, an after-school program that prepares high school students for the SAT, ACT and GRE tests.
- Metro Atlanta Resource Center, which offers tutorial sessions on computer skills and on test taking for higher learning opportunities and job advancement.
- For 6 weeks during the summer of 2000, Atlanta University Center also partnered with Helping Teens Succeed, an AmeriCorps program that provides college-bound teenage students and their parents with the skills to access online information on scholarships and other resources to attend and/or finish college.
Outcome
Since 2000 efforts have been stepped up by Atlanta University Center and the AmeriCorps*VISTA program, to increase volunteerism among Atlanta University Center students who have project management, event-planning, oral and written communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to leadership development and community planning.
In 2002 there were approximately 50 committed volunteers who assisted their community in helping to bridge the digital divide.
Posted On
December 13, 2002For More Information