|
|
Enron Mail |
Dear Friends,
Over the next three weeks Technology For All-Houston (TFA-Houston) will distribute 162 computers to Houston area community based organizations serving the underserved. Pam Gardner, our Program Assistant, has prepared an excellent summary of the organizations receiving computers and how they will be utilized. When these distributions are complete, TFA-Houston will have helped 108 Houston area community based organizations develop community technology centers since 1998. We are especially thankful for the corporate computer donations that make this possible, including the most recent donation from Shell. El Centro de Corazon El Centro de Corazon is a nonprofit social and educational facility which addresses the mental health and educational needs of the Hispanic families in the Second Ward East End of Houston. The service area is located east of the downtown business district. Throughout the year El Centro de Corazon holds an after-school and summer program for girls age 9-17. One of the major components of this educational outreach is a computer room with one-on-one instruction. Students enrolled in the computer program gain exposure to the latest technology. Students enrolled in the program utilize educational software and the Microsoft Office software to write reports and improve their academic work. The El Centro de Corazon facility will receive 14 computers for their computer lab YMCA-Housing & Supportive Services The YMCA Housing and Supportive Services program offers housing scholarships, employment counseling, case management and essential needs to individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Supportive Services program served 171 single men and women whose gross annual income ranged from less than $5,000 to $25,000 a year. The YMCA has started a "Click-to-Learn" online computer lab. The computers are equipped with Microsoft Office 2000 and will be Internet accessible. The computer lab will provide free courses via the Internet to the YMCA residents, the working poor and the elderly who are interested in learning or upgrading their computer skills. The goal of the computer lab is to provide a learning environment where individuals can increase their self-development and earning power. The YMCA will receive 8 computers for their lab. LaAmistad Love & Learning Academy LaAmistad Love & Learning Academy is a prekindergarten and kindergarten school with a focus on early childhood that services students ages 3, 4 and 5 in the Fondren Southwest are of Houston, Texas. The need to provide additional early childhood educational opportunities for at-risk children in this area is the focused target of LaAmistad. LaAmistad's mission is to service these students and families with the provisions of an opportunity for early childhood learning and development. The computer reading lab will operate during the school day as an ancillary and reading maintenance facility. The students will become acclimated to technology by learning the functions of the computer, how it performs and what it can do The lab will integrate science, math, analytical and reading skills into class sessions. The lab will also service parents after school as a parental involvement tool and family literacy component. LaAmistad will receive 22 computers for their computer lab. Salt Inn Ministries and Teen Life Academy The Salt Inn Ministries and Teen Life Academy is a non-profit faith-based, alternative school and rehabilitation and restoration center. The Academy serves at-risk youth ages 4th-12th grade who not only suffer from a lack of self-esteem, drug addiction, abuse, family dysfunctions and learning disabilities, but they also lack knowledge, experience, material, supplies and courage to begin learning and applying skills in relation to the computer and the technology it represents. Salt Inn Ministries and Teen Life Academy wants to utilize computer skills to develop the students self-esteem, computer skills, marketable talents and knowledge base in technology. Salt Inn Ministries and Teen Life Academy will receive 30 computers for their lab. First Baptist Church of Heights The Church serves the Heights community in collaboration with schools in the Houston Independent School District. The demographic make-up of the student population is approximately 90% Hispanic, 5% African American and 5% Anglo. The proposed year one program is to provide tutoring for elementary school students. The CTC will host an after-school computer based reading program for 3rd and 4th grade students at Harvard Elementary School. An additional service provided is an on-line assistance to high school students researching information to obtain financial aid for higher education. First Baptist Church of Heights will receive 20 computers for their lab. Silverlake Church After School Computer Program Silverlake Church is located in Pearland, Texas and the program services Pearland Independent School District students. The lab will provide computer access to students who do not have them at home. The program is open to children 4-5, elementary school are, middle school age and high school age. The goal is to increase morals among children thru the After School Computer Program by providing additional information regarding the age of technology and integrate technology into all aspects of life; provide an interdisciplinary learning environment; encourage student creativity and cooperative learning; provide skill building information handling, problem solving and communication skills. Silverlake will receive 18 computers for their lab. Dominion Academy The Dominion Academy is located in The Acres Home Community approximately 9 miles northwest of Houston's Central Business District. The community is 83% Black, 9% Hispanic, 7% White and 1% Asian. The Dominion Academy is a new HISD Charter School for grades 5 through 8 which opened August 2001. The Academy targets low-income youth with an aptitude for math and science. The curriculum specializes in business, economics, leadership and entrepreneurship. The computer lab will be opened from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. to facilitate its technology based business curriculum. In addition, Dominion Academy proposes to implement an after school academic enrichment program to provide ACT/SAT test preparation for youth. The after school enrichment program will be open to all youth. The ACT/SAT test and preparatory instruction will be administered on the computer. The Dominion Academy will receive 25 computers for their lab. Tejano Center For Community Concerns, Inc. (Raul Yzaguirre School For Success) Students of the Raul Yzaguirre School are primarily Hispanic youth, 90% of which come from low income families. Many of these students are considered high risk and are behind one, two or more grade levels. Total enrollment is 617 in grades PreKindergarten through 12th.The school has a specific goal for their students which involves the loaning of PC's (laptops) to students for them to take home for a week for homework assignments.. Role modeling the use of technology in their home environment leads to establishing a self-value in the student. Tejano Center is scheduled to receive 25 laptops when they are available in the TFA Recycling and Distribution Center. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL "We bring Technology to Underserved Communities" www.techforall.org William S. Reed President/CEO Technology For All/Technology For All-Houston 109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 425 Houston, Texas 77024 713.316.5761 FAX 713.316.5790 will.reed@techforall.org TFA Operations Center & TFA-Houston 3405 Edloe, Suite 300 Houston, Texas 77027 713.961.9945 or 0012
|