Public Housing Technology Center Development
Organization:
Chicago Housing Authority/DSSA Management, Inc. VISTA Name:
Alycia Alexander
Program Start:
5/2001
Program End:
4/2002
Project Description:
Goal I. Develop a Computer Learning Center (CLC) for residents at assigned public housing projects that include seniors and disabled adults.
Goal II. Abate historical animosity between residents and their neighbors, the CLC becomes a hub of activity for the surrounding neighborhood.
Goal III. Residents Contribute to the maintenance of the CLC in exchange for access to it
Goal IV. Rather than a top-down approach where staff guesses what the community wants from their CLC, the VISTA member will meet regularly with a steering committee to determine the needs of the community being served.
Goal V. Develop a plan for technical support using free community resources. Find volunteers from schools that have community service requirements.
Goal VI. Teach Basic Computer Skills to all interested residents and community participants.
Goal VII. Insure that the CLC is sustainable and replicable.
Project Outcome:
Goal I.
– The CLCs are welcoming and open at least five days per week. Most of the time, the CLCs see a steady stream of visitors.
– Volunteer meetings at newest CLCs are not yet regular.
– Time is divided among CLCs, but VISTAs commit at least two days per week per CLC.
– Resident volunteers have organized their own schedule
– We would like to do another Quarterly Volunteer Recognition Event in October.
Goal II.
– Has been successful on the North Side and is growing on the South Side.
– VISTAs continuing Alycia’s work will pursue this further
Goal III.
- Resident volunteers have increased their participation in teaching each other. The VISTAs have helped to move self-sustainability forward.
– Local students visit our CLCs. Children who use the CLC get individualized attention from volunteers and VISTAs.
– At our newest CLCs, the largest group of new users is comprised of school-aged children.
– Resident volunteers have not yet adopted this project as their own; it runs with VISTA guidance.
Goal IV.
– Steering Committees meet regularly and report on their progress.
Goal V.
– Our volunteers teach computer programs but we have yet to find reliable volunteer technicians.
– The heads of local service learning organizations have met key residents and building staff.
- Steering Committee is no longer holding regular elections in favor of Asses-Based Community Development, in which community members hold positions based on their pre-existing skills
Goal VI.
– We have worked more on “teaching the teachers” this year, which has given the users themselves more pride in their CLC.
Goal VII.
- This project has been building slowly. We would like to make it a higher priority in the future.
Dan Killian replaced Alycia Alexander, as she moved to a full-time position with DSSA at the end of her VISTA year.