technical support

CTC Support and Program Building

Organization: 
RTPNet
VISTA Name: 
Vahid Nourani
Program Start: 
9/2004
Program End: 
9/2006
Project Outcome: 

Vahid evaluated the Tech Link Up project, www.techlinkup.org. Vahid Visited ten non-profit organizations to evaluate and assess their IT needs (on going). He volunteered at four organizations, with tasks such as teaching, computer networking, computer lab setup, and data management. He helped computer recipient organizations/families through the Teaming for Technology program of Triangle United Way and IBM programs to install hardware, software, and troubleshooting. He helped with the Teaming for Technology program of Triangle United Way in receiving, transporting, refurbishing, repairing, troubleshooting, and hardware/software installation of used computers and related devices. And Vahid compiled several mailing lists.

CTC Support

Organization: 
Sand Point CTC (LIHI)
VISTA Name: 
Catherine Sullivan
Program Start: 
9/2004
Program End: 
9/2005
Project Description: 

VISTA Member Catherine Sullivan is currently working with the Low Income Housing Institute Sandpoint CTC. The CTC is open to anyone in the community needing access to technology and offers trainings to seniors on an ongoing basis along with a Tuesday night tutor group. In the future the CTC plans to offer additional computer classes to the community.

Project Outcome: 

• Built a good rapport with CTC users. Cat has developed a good relationship with many of the CTC users. The users are not afraid to ask her for assistance and she has many community members coming to her on a regular basis.

• Contacted representatives from each county in WA for information to put on new LIHI website. Cat sent an e-mail to people from each county seeking community information to add to a community resource/predatory lending website. She also compiled information for many of the counties through her own research.

• Coordinated the scheduling of Volunteer Monitors. Cat has been working with our volunteer monitors to ensure proper coverage to maintain the hours the lab is available for the community.

• Prepared CTC for Senior Training Seniors Classes. Cat has ensured that computers are running and that the lab is set up for the seniors training seniors’ classes. This had not been being done satisfactorily in the past, Cat has done an excellent job of ensuring that it now is and has received many compliments from the volunteer teachers.

• Posted rules and calendar of lab hours. Cat has developed a calendar to post for lab hours. She has also met with the volunteer monitors to establish rules for the lab. She is currently working with the monitors to ensure the rules are being followed.

CTC Support

VISTA Name: 
Mike Denegal
Program Start: 
9/2004
Program End: 
9/2005
Project Description: 

Goal 1: To create working partnerships with community organizations that will result in increased opportunities for local residents.
Goal 2: To increase fund development opportunities for FLOC sites.
Goal 3: Develop standardized operating procedures for FLOC sites.
Goal 4: To supervise the development of SDCTC bylaws with the volunteer officers and leadership council
Goal 5: Educate broader non-profit community about the SDCTC to increase the impact of its work and strengthen the ability of local non-profits to provide technology access and education to all San Diego County residents.
Goal 6: Develop one workshop each quarter based on the needs identified by SDCTC Members
Goal 7: Develop, in conjunction with the Leadership Council, two proposals for continued funding of SDCTC activities.

Project Outcome: 

Mike Denegal has provided technical assistance to the Family Learning Opportunity Centers (FLOCs) and he’s well respected for his professional technical advice for the organization. The FLOCs began with limited resources, equipment, and program structure. We are glad that Mike has assisted the Community Development Division in growing its resources, researching viable technology funding options, and establishing a line of communication among staff through the message board. Mike displays a high level of enthusiasm for growing the resources and establishing partnerships for SDCTC. He has made sure that both OTS and SDCTC stay abreast on technological trends, resources, policies, and innovations.

Mentor and CTC Support

VISTA Name: 
Amanda Lasik
Program Start: 
9/2004
Program End: 
9/2005
Project Description: 

Our vista member’s accomplishments can be thought of as serving four broad categories, the Community Technology Center (CTC) program, mentoring support for staff and students, sustainability & organizational capacity building, and personal development. Her work in the CTC involved development of curriculum and outcomes for our computer literacy education program and increasing the use of the CTC as an independent learning center. She also assisted with teaching classes and individual learning projects.

As a mentor she supported and empowered our staff, all former program participants, through building their computer skills, and supporting their growth in organizational leadership. Through modeling, working with recruiting and cultivating volunteers, she mobilized and supported student involvement in a variety of activities.

Project Outcome: 

As a result of her work with issues related to sustainability and donor cultivation we were able to consistently produce and distribute our newsletter and double the revenues generated from our annual event. We were able to add a new cultivation event “Lunch on Us” which has resulted in 120 new prospects/donors for our organization. She also organized and laid a system for grant development accumulating appropriate materials which contributed to the efficiency of grant development.

Amanda increased her Spanish language skills and through our leadership development program began to identify and address her own leadership strength and weaknesses.

Impact Quote: 

Amanda Lasik is a remarkable addition to our staff serving as a VISTA member.  Her ability to perceive the need and remain flexible is very helpful in our situation.  She also has adapted well to our organizational culture providing mentoring and leadership for those we serve. It is a pleasure to work with this bright and talented woman. 

Marketing and Outreach

VISTA Name: 
Ashley Cross
Program Start: 
9/2004
Program End: 
9/2005
Project Description: 

Install, maintain and troubleshoot a wireless network of 30 laptops, the Mobile Lab, by November 2004

Increase the number of youth served by the CLC from 500 to 600 (a 20% increase) by the end of the VISTA term, with the addition of the Mobile Lab Project.  We may surpass this target number by recruiting Camino Nuevo High School youth, who can earn elective credits for participating in the MLP.

Create job descriptions and train 2-4 technologically advanced high school interns to teach younger CLC participants.

Public and private sector resources will enable the project to continue after the VISTA member leaves.

Create a manual of procedure on how to update the website after VISTA member leaves.

Recruit local college volunteers to work with high school youth on developing the HOLA Fun Zone (HOLA’s youth website).

Project Outcome: 

HOLA’s AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, Ashley Cross, has been an amazing addition to Heart of Los Angeles Youth (HOLA). You need only visit our new and improved website to see the many ways that she has made a tremendous impact upon the organization. At www.heartofla.org you will see updated stories and press releases which Ashley designed and published. She also designed and formatted a link for point of donation opportunities, as well as a merchandizing page featuring HOLA cards designed by our youth. HOLA has received close to $3,000 in donations through our website to date, which funds can be directly attributed to Ashley’s efforts. We also received a $50,000 grant that came through our new and improved site. Please take a look at the home page and the articles included on the site, which Ashley was responsible for designing and formatting. Ashley was able to recreate on our web site the entire article about HOLA, including photographs, which was published in “La Opinion”. She was responsible for creating the Special Events page and many of the stories and pictures throughout the site. At the same time, we have been able to hard copies of the PDF articles from the web site to form an integral part of HOLA’s press packet. Ashley’s contribution to the HOLA website is only one very critical part of how she’s expanded the capacity for our organization.

Ashley succeeded in refurbishing the 30 laptops ahead of schedule, but the organization encountered some unforeseen obstacles in procuring battery packs, a wireless router, wireless cards, and most importantly, a space to accommodate the Mobile Lab Project. Thanks to Ashley’s research, these were obtained during the last quarter of her term. While these challenges were being addressed, we added the new goal of increasing the capacity of HOLA’s development office through the overall improvement of the website, which Ashley undertook with great efficiency and success.

The Mobile Lab Project is now slated to be unveiled in March or April of 2006, a successful culmination of Ashley’s research and development efforts. Batteries, cards and a router have been obtained, and funds have been secured for the build-out of the new Teen Center.

Impact Quote: 

Ashley’s ability to accomplish tasks quickly has greatly enhanced HOLA’s public image, giving a much-needed dynamic quality to the website, much to the organization’s benefit. Because she finished the Mobile Laptop Project in such a timely manner, HOLA was able to gain additional financial support from national companies towards launching a new Teen Center. Ashley successfully adapted to the new goals as they evolved during the year, and she was able to complete the tasks set out for her before the end of her contract. Fortunately for Heart of Los Angeles Youth, Ashley’s next post will be as a full-time staff member. She joined HOLA’s staff as the Bridges After School Manager and Volunteer Coordinator on September 19, 2005.

Compuer Skills Training and Curriculum Development

Organization: 
Fenway CDC Boston
VISTA Name: 
Rob Hall
Program Start: 
11/2001
Program End: 
11/2002
Project Description: 

Rob, as the lead instructor for the NETT Network Associates program, is now graduating ten first Cycle I students on October 21, 2002 and preparing to start Cycle 2 on October 28, 2002 with 12 students. The Fenway NETT Network Associates program is based on the Cisco Certified Network Associates program. The program incorporates training in network administration, software and hardware troubleshooting, customer service, communication skills, job readiness skills, problem-solving/critical thinking, research skills and other “soft skills” needed for success in the information technology sector.tor.

Project Outcome: 

Rob continued teaching the first half of the NETT Network Associate program. This included 3 to 4 hours in the classroom daily, which was extended somewhat, as the class, approached the Semester 1st and 2nd semester finals. During this period Rob conceived of integrating the in-class instruction with a real world network installation. This was done at the Fenway After-School Program, a program run by the YMCA in a Fenway CDC owned building. The students consulted with the YMCA, reconditioned PC’s, and installed an Ethernet network.

Impact Quote: 

We remain fortunate to have the services of Rob Hall, 2001 graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology to serve a one-year VISTA term. Rob’s dedication, expertise and helpful personality have allowed the CDC launch and completion of the first cycle of an innovative and demanding program preparing low and moderate income urban adults for careers in networking administration and information technology.

CTC Technician and Program Builder

VISTA Name: 
Brandi Day
Program Start: 
9/2004
Program End: 
9/2005
Project Outcome: 

Brandi has been working with CompuMentor and Citizens Housing Corporation for six months. In that time she has provided logistical and planning support, managing a number of CTN workshops including YouthLearn, Writing Great Grant Proposals, Amazing Success Stories, and Youth Media: Digital Storytelling & Animation. Brandi has also been actively involved in the Community Technology Network Steering Committee as a member and secretary. In this role, she has been responsible for keeping members informed about upcoming events and meetings as well as dissemination of meeting minutes and materials. In addition, Brandi has maintained the CTN Bay Area website at http://www.ctnbayarea.org. She has overseen the redesign of the website with volunteers from OPNet’s web design students. In her work as computer technician and consultant at Citizens Housing Corporation she has set up and maintained two computer labs in low-income housing units.

CTC Support and Program Building

VISTA Name: 
Jason Floyd
Program Start: 
6/2002
Program End: 
6/2003
Project Description: 

Set up multiple youth education programs, maintain our CTC, and provide network security.

Project Outcome: 

Jason Worked with MIT Graduate Students for a summer learning program with youth and provided network support and administration of 25+ machines at our CTC. Jason aldo maintained network support for employees and instructors on a daily basis; including lab setup and supervision; equipment maintenance and administration; in house and phone technical support; file/print/terminal server and workstation performance monitoring, repair, and configuration; troubleshooting connectivity issues for local area network. Jason also administered and instructed web design, A+ Certification, MS Office; and youth technology programs.

Jason led our Network Security Enhancement including installation of Security Software on the Network and Client Machines (Fortres 101) which has led to an 75% increase in system performance along with anti-virus and firewall software on all machines not including two which are designated for other purposes

Beginning April 8th 2003 youth will be given the opportunity to learn skills in video production including the Final Cut Software, Film and Television Studio Technologies and Techniques, Web Design using HTML, Photoshop, Dreamweaver via classes set up by Jason.

Outreach, Tech Support, and Recycling Coordinator

VISTA Name: 
Paul Savage
Program Start: 
8/2002
Program End: 
8/2003
Project Description: 

Accomplished on a regular basis the following tasks of Outreach, Tech Support, and Recycling Coordinator:

• Install software with licenses when updating or reformatting was needed
• Troubleshoot and repair computer systems with donations made by The Lowell Housing Authority
• Create flyers to attract working class people to the advantages of computer technology and for needed volunteers
• Recruit volunteers for the hours that were designated for each lab and for tech support
• Make daily connections with volunteers
• Fill the hours that volunteers could not work
• Run a recycling program for people that could not afford a computer

Project Outcome: 

Progress has been made in the attendance of children and adults in the CTC’s maintained for Ed West. At the end of August, we had a 20% increase of children arriving after school to do their homework or just surf on the net since February. We have also made an increase of adult attendance in the courses we held. We have had at least 100 certificates to give to the graduates from our beginner’s computer courses. Our adults have learned the basics of Microsoft Office and Windows. They have even learned how to search for jobs and build perfect resumes. We have given away at least 50 computers in the last six months to MA Rehab clients and also students that have taken our courses. Donations were made regular by major companies and by individuals who wanted to give to our community. I have also updated all 30 computers with new software that was used by all participants. Especially learning tools for the children.

Part of Paul’s job was the development of a lesson plan to teach residents the basics of computers. Paul was to create a lesson plan for 6 or 8 week classes that would engage residents with a completion date set, and a new class to begin subsequently. This did not happen as planned and the one class that has met is still meeting after 12 weeks, with the same four students and no set plan to end. Paul is not supposed to be teaching directly, but it was allowed assuming that new volunteers were being sought to step in to teach. With very little success in recruiting and maintaining volunteers Paul chose to teach classes directly, in an effort to get the computer center utilized.

IT Support and Consulting

VISTA Name: 
James Fishwick
Program Start: 
8/2002
Program End: 
8/2004
Project Description: 

James Fishwick’s VISTA assignment began with a focus on development support for the Greater Boston Broadband Network, support for the growth of the College’s technology use by faculty and staff and in programs related to the Community Media and Technology program, and CTC VISTA project web site support. Over the course of his last six months, James continued to do very impressive work in all three areas and concluded his term of service by becoming the project’s VISTA Leader for a second year of service and attending VISTA Leader training at the end of August.

Project Outcome: 

James took on major responsibility for CBC coordination, project web site development, and the monthly pilot cable and web cast “First Tuesday” program, undertaking the latter while serving as the Assistant Producer.Overall project coordination involved assisting with monthly meeting arrangements and follow through with subcommittee needs and support. Web site development included not only design and technical maintenance but content development as well. As Assistant Producer for “First Tuesday,” James undertook a wide range of tasks insuring smooth program production, including serving as live-time chat coordinator and on-camera contributor, set design, plant, and web cast coordination, and post-production assistance.

With regard to the College, James continued to provide a good range of support to individual faculty and programs and helped give visible, tangible testimony of the value of the Community Media and Technology program. In addition to special help to five faculty/programs, James assisted the CPCS IT Task Force, a committee dedicated to a thorough review of the current IT landscape at UMass and its effect on the college. The task force makes recommendations to the college on how to move on various IT issues, especially the establishment and subsequent development of the Clark Taylor Center. James has served as secretary to the committee and has helped to facilitate discussions on needs for the Center with CPCS faculty.

Finally, as the web master for the CTC VISTA Project itself (www.cpcs.umb.edu/vista), James initiated a number of design and content contributions that have contributed to the project’s aesthetic and programmatic presentation for VISTAs, supervisors, and the general public. His work with the VISTAs in encouraging and helping them develop their own web pages and resources, along with his moderation of the metroBoston and national CTC VISTA member electronic discussion lists and general communication have given him a major leadership status among his fellow VISTAs and in the overall project.

Transmission Project