Special Populations
Building a Bridge Across the Digital Divide
By Donna Mattoon
Media Relations, Program Manager
Corporate Community Relations IBM
It's naptime at the Monticello Day Care Center on First Avenue, but despite the dimmed lights and hushed voices in the hall, little eyes are wide open and trained on two women installing Young Explorer computers in the classrooms. Until this summer afternoon, none of the children - and few of the staff - had ever used a computer. Indeed, until recently, the two women now assembling the colorful work stations were also classic examples of the digital divide.
But now Blanca Pereira and Guadalupe Mitsigiorge are among six AmeriCorps* VISTA volunteers who are part of a unique project aimed at bringing nonprofit agencies into the information technology era. Called TEAMming for TECHnology (TEAM TECH), the project is a national partnership between IBM, United Way of America and AmeriCorps* VISTA that is developing leadership and technology skills among nonprofit organizations and in the communities they serve. TEAM TECH in New York City, now in its fourth year, is the largest of similar initiatives taking place in 17 cities across the U.S. and has emerged as a model for other sites.
At the heart of TEAM TECH are the AmeriCorps* Vista volunteers who receive training to assist the nonprofits in developing technology plans. In the process, the volunteers learn such important career skills as installing hardware and software in the donated technology systems.
"I am learning so much about technology and it is wonderful helping the day care centers," says Guadalupe. "I know I will be able to find a good job in the technology field after my year as a volunteer."
To Brian Joyce, Director of Technology Outreach for United Way of New York City and manager of TEAM TECH, the project is an outstanding example of a public and private sector partnership. "This is vitally important because of the ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots, and it's especially important in the day care setting. The Young Explorer computers will be the only exposure that most of these children have to technology -- something that will play a very large role in all of their futures. And it provides the early childhood teachers with another tool to prepare the children for success in school," says Brian.
This year alone, Blanca, Guadalupe, and the other TEAM TECH volunteers will oversee the installation of 83 IBM Young Explorer computers in 29 New York City day care centers, as well as 60 IBM personal computers and nine ThinkPads donated to 20 additional community-based organizations and Hub agencies. They will also conduct training programs, so that staff at all agencies receiving IBM equipment are best prepared to use and benefit from the technology.
"I love this project," said Blanca Pereira, guiding the hand of one little boy at the day care center as he touched the Young Explorer computer for the first time. "I'm helping children and community agencies. And I'm also helping myself and my family have a better life."