The Community Technology Center Initiative

Community technology centers provide computer access and educational services using information technology. In general, people who visit CTCs do not own computers, and many do not have access at work or school. CTCs make computers, the Internet, and various software packages available.

From a National Science Foundation funded study that surveyed CTC users we know that community technology centers offer a range of opportunities to use computers and other technologies in classes as well as in self-directed activities. Many individuals acquired or improved English language skills, got tutoring and homework help, or participated in GED and other adult education programs. Center visitors also use computers to get information from the Internet, send and receive e-mail, set up Web pages, and carry out their own self-directed projects. Community technology centers are also a valuable resource for obtaining job skills and learning about employment opportunities.

Community Technology Centers have their origins in Harlem, New York where Playing to Win's (PTW) Community Computing Center opened in 1983. In 1992, Playing to Win was awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to help create a network of neighborhood technology access providers. Through technical assistance efforts, PTW helped spur the development of 50 centers, representing a broad range of community organizations. In November 1995, the Education Development Center (EDC) began a NSF funded effort aimed at the national expansion and institutionalization of the Playing to Win (PTW) Network. Currently, CTCNet is serving 250 CTCs through technical assistance and other services, including research and evaluation.

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FUTURO Communities CTC Efforts

In September 1999 FUTURO Communities was awarded a grant from the Department of Education as part of its Community Technology Center program. The basic infrastructure had been created by the Southwest Texas Network Consortium and the Southwest Texas Junior College for a region wide computer network, or 'back-bone' that included both primary and secondary educational institutions. It was FUTURO's intention to build upon this groundwork to provide computer access to non-education residents of its five counties through CTCs. The new Centers would be open during non-traditional hours in the evenings after 5 p.m. and on Saturdays in the morning. In agreement with the Middle Rio Grande Development Council and the Middle Rio Grande Workforce Board, the Centers would be located in Workforce Centers where computer labs already exist. The agreement allows FUTURO to use the computer labs for walk-in residents to use in exchange for referrals to the MRGDC's services as well as to help those clients in the Welfare to Work program acheive the skills necessary to find employment.

The reasoning behind the non-traditional hours is to serve the greatest number of people who work normal hours and for children in school. Many people in our area do not have access to computers once work or school is ended. The CTCs give those interested in learning new skills the ability to do so at their own pace and on their own time.

As well as computer access the CTCs provide after-school activities for children that include reading, crafts, and use of educational software to extend or enchance the skills they are acquiring in school. On Saturdays the Video Teleconferencing Equipment belonging to the MRGDC is used to conduct pre-school reading activities, each center taking the lead in turn to guide the activity. The idea is to begin the exposure of children to technology as early as possible and to give them the sense of a bigger picture through the ability to interact with a presenter and other children in distant communities.

Another purpose the Centers serve is adult education and family literacy. In partnership with the Even Start program, the Centers help the program to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities available to low-income families with limited educational experiences; to integrate adult education, parenting education, and early childhood educational services into a unified program.

Career development and job preparation is another intention of the Centers to include video teleconferencing classes on resume writing, computer skills training and, eventually, Microsoft Certification. The Internet is available to aid clients in job searches and access to the Texas Workforce Commission job banks.

Finally, the Centers serve as classrooms for Small Business Development training by the Small Business Development Center of Sul Ross State University RGC. These training courses include Customer Service Training, Managing Cash Flow, Target Marketing and Job Training Grants.