Transmission Project

The AmeriCorps VISTAs will work with members of the Consortium and the larger Lowell NPO community. The VISTAs will supervise public access to computers, train the community in a wide assortment of computer applications, provide technical support, assist in the setup of new computer labs, and improve and support information systems (like websites, databases, email). Overall, the Consortium wants to expand the computer resources available to the community and support the community’s ability to use these resources.

The AmeriCorps VISTAs will work with members of the Consortium and the larger Lowell NPO community. The VISTAs will supervise public access to computers, train the community in a wide assortment of computer applications, provide technical support, assist in the setup of new computer labs, and improve and support information systems (like websites, databases, email). Overall, the Consortium wants to expand the computer resources available to the community and support the community’s ability to use these resources.

Our goal is to move SCAT into the digital age without leaving behind anyone in the Somerville communities SCAT has been serving for over 25 years: at-risk youth, immigrant communities, low- and middle-income people and organizations who feel ignored by the “mainstream” media, and seniors looking for a way to make their voices and concerns heard.

VISTA responsibilities include

Planning and policy work:
Research how other public access stations have “crossed the digital divide” and implemented computer center programs, as well as programs related to the new digital video technologies, make recommendations to SCAT staff and Board of Directors, and help implement the plan, which would include the purchase of some equipment.

Outreach:
Collaboration on the development of messages and programming for the public access channel aimed at making people aware of the new resources and programs at SCAT; development of printed outreach material; personal outreach work, such as visiting service agencies, youth groups, community associations, etc., with a translator when necessary

Training Program:
Design and implementation of a creative program of training on the computer stations, especially related to the Internet and to the multimedia possibilities offered by the world wide web; collaboration with SCAT staff who work with the non-linear editing system in the design and implementation of new multimedia training courses; design and implementation of an advanced training program related to web site design, video streaming, etc.

BPSOS’s project ACCESS, Access to Computers for Community Empowerment, Support and Services, hopes to improve English fluency and the acquisition of computer skills in the low-income community. The VISTA members will work on the following tasks:

1. Work with community groups to identify youth needing the service and mobilize their participation in the program.
2. Set up neighborhood-based classes. This involves identification of additional resources to support these classes (such as donated computers, text books, class space, supplies).
3. Teach ESL and computer classes. This will include tailoring existing class materials to the needs of the target population.
4. Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to serve as instructors and mentors.
5. Encourage parents to take part in the education of their children.

Goal 1: Participate in, enhance and develop programs in host organizations that deepen and broaden the participating community’s use of technology in pre-school, after-school, adult education, literacy and other programs. These activities might include: developing materials or classes in languages other than English, staffing public access hours, developing and supporting volunteer resources, creating new initiatives for specific groups, such as seniors, very young children, working families, ore creating new initiatives for specific groups, such as seniors, very young children, working families, or creating Local Computer Resource Guides for particular neighborhoods.

Goal 2: Create, integrate and support tools and vehicles that strengthen the local network of CT providers such as shared web space, newsletter, joint trainings, meetings, and mini-conferences that facilitate organizational sharing of information, skills and resources with one another.

Goal 3: Create capacity in communities for their own members to become leaders. Develop training and internship opportunities for community members, target potential youth and adult leaders in the community, develop ways to support the growth of these leaders by including them in region-wide programs, introducing them to the array of programs in their own communities.

VISTA activities include mentoring, training, and being a role model to youths. VISTA individuals with work collaboratively with partners to reach out to youths for activities.

The long range goals of our technology vision are that all citizens, no matter what socio-economic or academic background they come from, are entitled to access to technology.

The anticipated outcome of the project is that an increased number of Greater Lansing citizens will gain access to computers and be able to utilize technology and information to improve their economic, social and political lives. The Project will result in participants getting better jobs, their children getting better grades in school and the community benefiting from a better informed, more involved citizenry.

The VISTA workers will engage in outreach activities designed to involve members of the target populations in the program. They will teach participants how to use computers, how to upgrade computers and how to access and utilize the internet to improve their lives.

The AmeriCorps VISTAs will work with members of the Consortium and the larger Lowell NPO community. The VISTAs will supervise public access to computers, train the community in a wide assortment of computer applications, provide technical support, assist in the setup of new computer labs, and improve and support information systems (like websites, databases, email). Overall, the Consortium wants to expand the computer resources available to the community and support the community’s ability to use these resources.

Our long-range goals are to enable a significant number of adult learners to feel comfortable and skilled in using computers and to learn where they can purchase low-cost (recycled or new) computers for family use.

VISTA members will perform the following taks:

- Enabling adult students to feel comfortable and skilled in finding useful information on the web;

- Assisting in learning projects such as helping adult learners to word process and desktop publish school newspapers and student magazines;

- With small groups of adult students designing and making web-based Virtual Visits of workplaces and community organizations of interest to adult learners and their families;

- Providing access to online and CD-ROM-based adult instruction in English language and other basic skills learning

- Adding to the Boston E-Square web pages

One of the main goals of the PREP Computer Training program is to provide the technology training needed for inner-city residents to get well-paying jobs. To do this, one of our long-term goals is to provide training needed for professional computer certifications.

We would use the Americorps*VISTA member to help run the walk-in computer lab as well as to help assist with some of our classes. In the walk-in lab, the VISTA members would help answer people’s questions and assist them in their work. They would also work with the youth staff that we have working in the lab.

The VISTA member would also assist in teaching our classes on Saturdays. VISTA members could assist with whatever class that suits their technical capabilities.

The third area VISTA members couls assist in is in providing computer training to youth in our after school program during the afternoon a couple of times a week.

Depending on the VISTA member’s technical capabilities, they may also assist in the technical support of the lab as well as helping work with the youth in our youth-run Web design business. For each of these areas, we would provide the VISTA member with training and mentors to help guide them.