Transmission Project

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.

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.

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.

Long time goals include a more informed and involved senior citizen and disabled population, with seniors having opportunities to share knowledge and experience with youth & others through today’s mediums. We also expect the disabled to have previously non-existent opportunities to find ways back into the mainstream of society through communication, training, health monitoring, employment and a better quality of life.

AmeriCorps members will teach classes and work with elderly and disabled residents to help them understand and use technology.

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.

The AmeriCorps*VISTA member will be responsible for the development of a FOTS community technology center to increase our capacity to help students, their families and other community adults to bridge the “digital divide.” In addition, the VISTA member and the new FOTS CTC will help FOTS to expand its capacity to implement its tutoring program and after-school classes that support the academic growth of our students.

- Assume responsibility as director of a small CTC
- Develop a digital and educational program
- Identify successful teaching tools at experienced CTCs and modify as needed to meet the needs of FOTS students
- Assist FOTS tutors, staff, students and adult family members to develop basic computer skills, including typing and word processing skills

Long time goals include a more informed and involved senior citizen and disabled population, with seniors having opportunities to share knowledge and experience with youth & others through today’s mediums. We also expect the disabled to have previously non-existent opportunities to find ways back into the mainstream of society through communication, training, health monitoring, employment and a better quality of life.

AmeriCorps members will teach classes and work with elderly and disabled residents to help them understand and use technology.

The long range goals of the project are to provide affordable technology-based access and training to low income residents of the Downtown / Little Tokyo area and LTSC CDC’s low income housing projects; to support and help develop the community technology capacity among other API agencies; and to function as a comprehensive community technology resource for area residents.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will be assigned to help oversee the computer job skills development program. This would include outreach activities and identifying candidates among LTSC CDC’s housing projects and the Downtown/Little Tokyo areas. He/She will also be responsible for developing the program curriculum, forming relationships with corporate partners for job placement opportunities, delivering the course training, and providing participant support during open access periods. Other responsibilities will include the training and coordination of our volunteers to assist in classroom instruction.

The long range goal is to enhance the organizational capacity of community technology center staff. By developing our membership base and supplementing the services provided to those members, by providing on-site technical support and by expanding access to our national conference this AmeriCorps position will have a major impact on the low-income community where they are serving. By providing services to centers that create equitable access, these projects inherently expand access themselves. The by-product of this impact on low-income communities is an increase in the skilled workforce and a heightened sense of personal efficacy.

Goal 1: Expand local ties among member centers and increase organizational capacity to deliver in-person consultation and support.

Goal 2: Assist in creating a system of technology-related technical assistance support for CTCs in the Boston metropolitan area.

Goal 3: Conduct research, WWW design activities and email activities to maintain and expand delivery of services to member centers.

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.