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I N S I D ECTCNet Conference
"We’re one of the most wired cities in the world, but there’s still much we can do to bring the benefits of this technology revolution to all segments of our city." -Mayor Greg Nickels The Little Saigon Computer Lab at Helping Link has new cable broadband Internet access, thanks to the City of Seattle and Millennium Digital Media. In addition, they have also been awarded $14,994 in Neighborhood Matching Funds to develop a model computer education project for their 10-station computer lab. The curriculum being developed will be bilingual, culturally sensitive and responsive to the technology needs of Vietnamese immigrants. The Yesler Learning Center has just received a City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund grant of $8580 to develop a Virtual 3D Project. The goal of this project is for neighborhood youth and technically skilled adults to work together to create a presentation of information about Yesler Terrace using 3D modeling, audio design, and the University of Washington's cutting edge Augmented Reality technology. The goals are to inspire low-income young people of color to think about technology, their neighborhood, their culture, and being creative. l.i.n.k.a.g.eKing County Law Library Internet: Child Safety Tips Wired for Learning Classes Ethnomed free cable internetIt's not too late to get free cable Internet and modem for your local CTC. These free connections are currently only available in the Comcast service delivery area and within the Seattle city limits. For more information and to download a short form to make application, go to our tech web. If you have questions, email Derrick Hall or call (206) 233-5061.
t.e.c.h.t.i.pcool, clean machinesSummer has arrived in Seattle, and as the outdoor temperature rises, it may be a good time to take the case off your computer so you can get the dust out of it. Dust inside your computer can cause the ventilation to not work well. The upshot: your computer will run hotter than usual. This can cause hard drive failure and lots more. The best way to clean the insides of your computer is to either buy a can of compressed air from your local computer store, or use a vacuum cleaner with a hose/brush attachment. take the
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Greg Nickels, Mayor Department of Information Technology BILL SCHRIER chief technology officer RONA ZEVIN director, office of electronic communications DAVID KEYES manager, community technology program staff  D.H. CASS MAGNUSKI editor |
The Little Saigon Computer Lab at Helping Link has new cable broadband Internet access, thanks to the City of Seattle and Millenium Digital Media.
seattle ctcnet conference this week
Seattle and the Puget Sound welcome the premier community technology conference, starting this Thursday, June 10, at the DoubleTree Hotel in SeaTac. The international CTCNet conference brings together community service providers, technologists, educators, policymakers and private and public funders for four days of networking and education. Building Connected Communities: The Power of People and Technology is CTCNet's 13th annual conference proposition that explores emerging themes under the larger framework of community building and its relevance for community technology centers as they engage and connect diverse communities to effect positive change. Register for the whole conference, go to the free June 10 pre-conference and/or volunteer to help out. There will be technology experts from around the country and beyond. Microsoft is a major supporter of this year's conference. See the program here.
profile: local community tech
Seattle community technology centers, aka community technology learning centers or telecenters, provide access to free or low-cost computer-based/digital applications, hardware, networks, technology training and support programs. Many also provide a range of vital services and offer a range of technical training. Some also offer computer ownership and hosting services. The centers are typically located in low-income communities to enable access for those who may lack opportunities, and can be found in a variety of locations, including:
- nonprofit community organizations
- libraries
- schools
- health clinics
- faith-based institutions
- affordable housing complexes
- public community centers
CTCs provide access to information and serve as focal points for personal development, health and social services, basic education, job skill development, community building, and social and civic engagement. These services include:
- Senior citizen assistance
- Immigration and survival services
- English as a Second Language
- Educational tutoring and development
- Business assistance
- Youth guidance
- Job training (low and high tech)
- Health education
There are more than 170 community technology access and learning sites in the Seattle/King County area. These include:
Schools: 20
Libraries: 69
Government, including community centers: 10
Housing complexes: 22
Other human service organizations: 49
Site size:
1-2 computers: 23
3-10: 100
10+: 47
Who they serve:
Seniors: 115
Youth: 109
Immigrants/sites offering non-English: 46
ESL Citizenship services: 21
Most of this comes in part from the Community technology site directory at seattle.gov/tech/techmap. The techmap also features more specific information on each site.
tech assessment is capstone for itt-technical institute students
ITT Technical Institute students Chris Knutson (lead), Josh Koop, Scott Putzier, and Jared Fischer recently conducted tech assessments for eight PSACT community computer labs as a capstone project. The students are from the Computer Network Systems program of the Information Technology School, where students learn to install, upgrade and maintain hardware.
According to the team, "This has been a wonderful experience for all of us. We had a chance to see the diversity in the community as it pertains to the IT field, while engaging the different setups that can go on. We appreciate all the help that was afforded us in our eighth quarter project. The sites that we hit along with the people that we met were outstanding. We look forward to continuing our help with the future groups that embark on this adventure."
PSACT director Sandra Mears has been invited to give the keynote address to the 2004 graduating class on June 12.
opportunities
Clickerz Summer Technology Camps is seeking a tech teacher for their Kimball Elementary School program this summer, from July 12 through August 6. The teacher will work for four weeks in a Mac environment with elementary school-aged kids. For more information, contact Catherine Collins.
Puget Sound Alliance for Community Technology (PSACT) is seeking VISTA applicants. Their ideal VISTA will possess knowledge and comfort with technology and the ability to learn quickly, communicate and coordinate effectively with multiple stakeholders, i.e., staff, board members, members, and outside agencies. Cultural sensitivity and awareness is a must for working in diverse communities. Experience in database, web design and software applications preferred. Program management experience helpful. Email a resume to Sandra Mears, executive director, PSACT, or snail-mail a hard copy to PSACT, 157 Roy Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
d.o.l.l.a.r.s
Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
Deadline: Letters of Inquiry Accepted Year-Round
Focus on Renewing Citizenship: The Bradley Foundation is interested in supporting projects in any arena of public life -- economics, politics, culture, or civil society -- where citizenship is an important issue. Eligible projects include demonstrations of the resuscitation of citizenship; policy research and writing about approaches encouraging that resuscitation; academic research and writing that explore the intellectual roots of citizenship, its decline, and revival; and popular writing and media projects that illustrate the themes of citizenship for a broader public audience.
Deadline: Ongoing
The Office Depot Community Relations Program supports local nonprofit organizations that directly impact the health, education and welfare of children. Nonprofit organizations throughout the United States are eligible to apply for cash grants or one-time product donations. Applications are accepted year-round. Get more info at their web site, above.
Deadline: June 30
The Braitmayer Foundation supports organizations and programs throughout the United States that enhance the education of K-12 children. Two areas of particular interest to the foundation are curricular and school reform initiatives; and preparation of and professional development opportunities for teachers, particularly those that encourage people of high ability and diverse background to enter and remain in K-12 teaching. Nonprofit organizations across the United States are eligible to apply. For the June 30 deadline, the foundation will accept proposals for grants below $10,000 and letters of intent for grants up to $35,000.
Deadline: June 30
The Wal-Mart Foundation's emphasis is on local programs that improve the quality of life in Wal-Mart communities. The Community Matching Grant Program is the largest program funded by Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club. Associates raise funds with a local nonprofit organization at local stores, then Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club match a portion of the funds raised. Community-based nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for this program as well as organizations that are exempt from needing nonprofit status, such as public schools and government agencies. All requests for funding must be directed to the Good Works Coordinator at a local Wal-Mart store, SAM'S CLUB, Neighborhood Market or Distribution Center.
russian delegation visits ctc labs
Asfaha Lemlem of the Yesler Terrace Community Learning Center had a chance to brush up on his Russian recently as the City of Seattle and area community technology learning centers hosted a delegation from the far eastern Russian city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The group toured the Wallingford Senior Center, New Holly Neighborhood Campus, Special Technology Access Resource Center (STAR), as well as Yesler Terrace. Our Seattle centers are serving as a model for accessibility, training, community economic development and access to online government services.
The City of Seattle, the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, and Semeron are working with the Centre for the Support of Small and Medium Sized Businesses, a Russian NGO, and the City of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on a one-year project. Their goals are to promote trade, tourism, and e-government through an improved municipal web site for the City of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and to increase public access to web-based government services by opening a public access center there.
Seattle is fortunate to be able to share best practices. With our strong Internet infrastructure, e-government and community technology program, the goal of digital opportunity translates into any language.
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To subscribe or unsubscribe to Brainstorm, please email us, and we'll add you to our email notification list, or subtract you per your request. If you have ideas for future stories, please let us know and we'll try to accommodate them. We encourage you to visit the City of Seattle's Community Tech pages, seattle.gov/tech.