how to start & run a community computer center andrew sears coordinator, prep community computer...
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How to Start & Run a How to Start & Run a Community Computer CenterCommunity Computer Center
Andrew Sears
Coordinator, PREP Community Computer Center, Bruce Wall Ministries
Director, Association of Christian Community Computer Centers
“Giving People Skills to Make a Living and a Foundation to Make a Life”
OutlineOutline
Background and Need Ideas for Running a Computer Center
– What are people currently doing – About the Association of Christian Community
Computer Centers– Ideas for ministry from our experience at the
PREP Community Computer CenterHow to Start a Center
What is the “Digital Divide”?What is the “Digital Divide”?
The “digital divide” is the gap that separates those with access and training on computers and
the Internet from those without.
Digital Divide Across Income & RaceDigital Divide Across Income & Race
Digital Divide Across Income & RaceDigital Divide Across Income & Race
The New EconomyThe New Economy
Jobs Down 55-65%*
* 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
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
Jobs Grown to 7.4 million &Increasing 6.5% per year
Manufacturing Computer Industry***
The New EconomyThe New Economy
Manufacturing Computer Industry***
Jobs Down 55-65%*
* 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
Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%**
Average wage in IT-producingindustries was $58,000
346,000 IT jobs remain vacant nationwide and 1.7 million need to be filled by 2003
The Church and the Digital The Church and the Digital DivideDivide
The term “Sunday School” originated from a major literacy drive by the church in the 1800’s; Christians can also lead the computer literacy drive
Books Basic Literacy
Computers Computer Literacy
This is one of the best funded areas for serving the community Schools and the government can only do so much
Ideas for Running a Ideas for Running a Computer CenterComputer Center
What is a Christian What is a Christian Community Computer CenterCommunity Computer Center
Christian Community Computer Center Defined: any ministry using computers as an outreach to serve the community
– There are over 1,000 community computer centers in the US and it is likely that over 100 of these are Christian centers
– Range from ministries with less than 5 computers to ministries with over 50 computers
CommunityComputerCenters
Economic Development
Gospel Missions
Adult Education
Job TrainingAfter SchoolPrograms
Teen Ministry
Arts/Media Ministry
Walk-in Computer
Access
EntrepreneurshipPrograms
ComputerRefurbishing
ComputerClasses
CertifiedTrainingCenters
Association of Christian Association of Christian Community Computer Centers Community Computer Centers Mission:
– To support and promote the use of computers and technology in Christian outreach ministries
– To assist the 60+ identified existing Christian community computer centers and help others get started
– To partner with national organizations to support CCCC’s Pursuing partnerships with CCDA, Mission Year and CTCNet
Web: www.acccc.org or www.computerministry.org E-mail: [email protected]
Joining ACCCCJoining ACCCC
Join for free now, but may have a fee in the future Benefits
– Keep informed of events of interest to Community Computer Centers, Grants, Computer Donations
– Share program information– Participate in future joint programs
Sign up on sheet or send E-mail to [email protected]
PREP Community Computer PREP Community Computer CenterCenter
Joint Program of – Bruce Wall Ministries– Dorchester Temple Baptist Church– Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship– www.preptraining.org
PREP Activities– 15+ Computer Classes to 220 students each semester– Walk-In Computer Center with 20 visits per day– Youth Run Web Design Business– After School Technology Curriculum– Mentoring: provides relational time with students– Saturday Lunch: provides relational time with students
Sponsorship and GrowthSponsorship and Growth
In first year, received over $300,000 in donations from:– Microsoft– Adobe– Filene Foundation– PowerUP– Gateway Computer– Individuals
Now have a staff of nine and about 30 volunteers Have two computer rooms with a total of 40 computers
Program Areas Goals
Nine Week Classes (250 students)
• Build Skills Needed for Employment• Develop Initial Relationship
Youth Staff &
Certifications (20)
•Provide Experience and Credentials Needed for Jobs•Provide discipleship
Two-Week Classes (250 students) Walk-in Center (2,500 visits)
After School Technology Curriculum (30)
Decrease Barriers toUsing ComputersEstablish contact
Get Mentored (50)Volunteer/Assist with Classes
•Practice Material and Advance Learning•Develop deeper relationship
Stu
den
t Ad
vancem
ent
Spiritual and Skill Development PlanSpiritual and Skill Development Plan
Ideas for Church InvolvementIdeas for Church Involvement
Establish Computer Ministry within churches Great partnership opportunity for suburban and urban
churches– Many people in suburban churches will get involved in outreach
ministries in urban communities because of their interest in computers
– Great opportunity for reconciliation and transformation– PREP Volunteers: 20 suburban an 10 urban (most raised up
through program) Classes provide good opportunity for volunteers
– Have teaching assistants who train their first semester to teach the class while helping with the class
Ideas for YouthIdeas for Youth
Computers can easily become a component of an after school program Walk in center is popular with teens
– Music mixing popular allowing them to write a CD of their songs (get free download of Hip Hop eJay from Internet)
– Internet access is popular (high speed connection: DSL or cable needed, see appendix for info on connecting a network and Internet connection sharing)
We’ve found youth want the advanced and media classes while more adults want the basic classes
Youth staff supervise our walk-in center, but another adult is always in the building
– great opportunity for youth to lead, learn and be discipled Youth Run Business: Web design business, T-Shirts, Graphics Design,
Video Production
Ideas for ClassesIdeas for Classes
Make a major effort initially to let the community know– This is needed to have applicants at start of semester– We handed out 3,000+ flyers & table-tents on street, in schools,
stores & restaurants– Got mailing list of our community from Boston’s Voter
Registration Records and mailed to 10,000 residents Meals between classes can provide opportunities for
relationship building Project based classes work well Teens and adults can work in same classes, but adults
taking classes with younger children does not work See list of classes in Appendix
Issues to ConsiderIssues to Consider
Computer ministry should be relational ministry– “It’s not about the technology, it’s about the people.”
Center needs to be in an organization that is indigenous to community being served and raise up indigenous leaders
Web filtering software on all computers (see appendix for list of filtering software)
– Some software programs do not filter Web based E-mail (i.e. Hotmail)– We do not allow chat or non-educational games
Security is a major issue: – BWM has an alarm system and motion detectors and are installing a “panic” button for lab
monitors and video entry cameras
Software licensing is an issue
How to Start a How to Start a Computer CenterComputer Center
Things You NeedThings You Need
God’s support People: staff support/volunteers
– Technical support is a must– Can get work-study students from colleges for tech support
Space: to house computers– Look for space in churches and Multiservice centers
Equipment: computers, network, Internet connection Software Advertising/marketing Money: varies depending on your goals
Getting Equipment & SoftwareGetting Equipment & Software
Make announcements in churches that you are looking for computer donations from individuals and companies– relational method works best– Suburban churches may have many people in companies with
computers to donate– Specify minimum requirements and types of computers
We use Jumpstart software with kids Get 20 new Gateway computers by joining PowerUP (see
grants section)
Getting Equipment & SoftwareGetting Equipment & Softwarethrough Gifts-in-Kind & Compumentorthrough Gifts-in-Kind & Compumentor Register with Gifts in Kind International
(www.giftsinkind.com) – Cost $125 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– Get copies of most major software for $30 (Windows, Office 2000,
Adobe products, etc)– Provide great discounts (90% off) on office products, projectors,
clothes, etc.
Use Compumentor for software discounts (www.compumentor.com)
– Most major software for only $30 and no registration fee
Getting GrantsGetting Grants
PowerUP (www.powerup.org)– Get 20 new gateway computers with software– Get $20-40k in funding over 3 years– Looking to partner with faith-based groups with after-school &
teen programs (awarding thousands of grants targeting youth)– Deadlines: March 15, 2001 and August 15, 2001– Requires that you have 2 full-time staff that can help with lab
(but do not have to spend all their time on the lab)– Application at: www.powerup.org/program_application.pdf
Getting GrantsGetting Grants
CTCNET AmeriCorps/VISTA Grant– Provides full time staff positions for a year for $2,000– To apply must first pay $100 to join CTCNet (www.ctcnet.org) – Have some restrictions on these staff “leading religious services” during paid
time, but one of the most open gov’t programs toward faith-based groups, and you select the staff
– Should open application process around Feb, 2001– Contact Peter Miller of CTCNet at [email protected] or 617.287.7371
Get list of technology grants – Directory of Computer and High Technology Grants ($53) from Research Grant
Guides, Inc. (order on Amazon.com) HUD Neighborhood Networks Initiative will fund centers in housing
projects (which Christian groups could run)
For More InformationFor More Information
Visit Association of Christian Community Computer Centers Web site and join E-mail list
– Get information on grants, hardware donations, share ideas, etc– Join for free now, but will have a fee to join in future
Visit www.acccc.org or www.preptraining.org E-mail [email protected] Call Andrew Sears at 617-876-2981 Join Community Technology Centers Network (www.ctcnet.org), get
on E-mail list and go to national conference each June– Best information resource available
Visit HUD’s Neighborhood Networks at– http://www.hud.gov/nnw/nnwindex.html
AppendixAppendix
Web Site Filtering SoftwareWeb Site Filtering 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)
Setting Up A Network & Setting Up A Network & Internet Connection SharingInternet Connection Sharing
Need the following– Computers with one Ethernet card in each– Ethernet cabling between computers and Ethernet hub (called RJ-45
cable)– Computer to serve as “firewall” to connect to network (with either 2
Ethernet cards or one Ethernet card and one modem)– Proxy or Firewall Software
An easy setup version comes with Windows Millennium Edition as Internet connection sharing
A good inexpensive package is Comsocks (www.linkbyte.com)– Ethernet Hub
Get 24 port hub from Gifts in Kind for $50 Get 16 port hub from www.warehouse.com/datacom/ for about $200 Get from local computer stores
Internet Connection SharingInternet Connection Sharing
Ethernet CableEthernet Cables
Ethernet Cable
Cable or DSL Modem
Rehular Modem
Either/OrInternet
Internet Connection Sharing Internet Connection Sharing (Configuration)(Configuration)
Do not need to do this if using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing Under TCP/IP Configuration
– Server: on card connecting to clients IP Address: 10.0.0.10 Gateway: get from network provider DNS: get from network provider Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Other Card/Modem: get config from network provider
– Client Machines IP Address: 10.0.0.Anything from 0 to 255 but must be unique Gateway: 10.0.0.10 DNS: 10.0.0.10 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Configure Options in Browser to Use Proxy at 10.0.010
Call proxy/firewall software provider for help
PREP MissionPREP Mission
To serve those in urban centers by providing community computer access and education needed for employment, spiritual development and to equip the Christian
community to do the same.
Office Track ClassesOffice Track ClassesIntro to Computers Intro to the InternetBasics
1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good subject knowledge.2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters.
Establish Basic Computer Knowledge; highly employable in office jobs, administrative assistant and temp work
Goals
Word MOUS Test PREP
Excel MOUS Test PREP
Advanced Level
(or start Trackfor Multimedia)
Typing
MentoringIntro to Word Intro to ExcelIntermediate
Multimedia Track ClassesMultimedia Track Classes
Employment or Start New Businesses as as Web Designer, Graphic Designer or in Video Production, Get FrontPage Certification
Goals
1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good subject knowledge.2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters.
Web Design Graphics DesignIntermediate Video ProductionEntrepreneurship
Basics Digital Music Studio
Advanced Level
Youth Run Business Mentoring FrontPage 2000Certification
Volunteer Development PlanVolunteer Development Plan
Assisting with a class
Teaching a class
PREP Leadership Team
Part/Full Time Staff/Starting Another Program
Joining PREP Ministry
Taking a Class (as needed)
Small Group in Church
Church Attendance
Living Waters/Personal Healing
Certifications
Career Advancement
PREP VolunteerCommunity
SHAPE & Vocational Considerations
Spiritual Development Skill/Leadership Development Career Development
Career ChangesRacial Reconciliation
Digital Divide Across FamiliesDigital Divide Across Families
Digital Divide Across FamiliesDigital Divide Across Families