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Dear Digital Inclusion Supporter,
This September, we recognize the importance of partnerships among community technology providers across Washington state. La Casa Hogar Yakima Interfaith Coalition is sustaining and expanding their programs at a time when many non-profit organizations are cutting back, in large part because they cultivate successful partnerships. Executive Director Carole Folsom-Hill and Program Director Luz Monroy prioritize collaboration with other organizations, including local government, service providers, and non-profits. These partnerships create a strong network, and ensure that organizations are not duplicating services to the communities they serve. As a result of their progress, the Washington State Broadband Office awarded La Casa Hogar with a highly competitive Local Technology Planning Grant. New partnerships were also formed at the recent Curriculum Development and Technology Planning Workshop, highlighted in "What's New in the Communities Connect Network." Participants met others doing similar work and exchanged contact information, taking the first step toward creating partnerships and expanding the reach of CCN. |
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Spotlight On...
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La Casa Hogar Yakima Interfaith Coalition
La Casa Hogar Yakima Interfaith Coalition ("La Casa Hogar") acts as a "second home" to immigrant women and their families, providing assistance and instruction on a variety of important skills: English language learning, basic computer skills, GED preparation, driving, and citizenship. La Casa Hogar provides an innovative model for providing training to immigrant women because of the integration of childcare into nearly every class they provide. The childcare provides more than a babysitter; it provides a structured, early learning environment for the children. The preschool children participate in a structured learning program developing pre-literacy and social behavioral skills for school readiness.
Through CCNP BTOP funding, La Casa Hogar has expanded their capacity in their in-house lab and purchased laptops for their mobile lab, allowing them to provide training in other locations including the Yakima YWCA and a Catholic Charity Housing apartment complex. Often, a woman attending a computer basics class at La Casa Hogar will be interacting with a computer for the first time. Therefore, La Casa Hogar staff maintains small class sizes to facilitate one-on-one help and interaction. Women learn everything from mouse and keyboarding skills to using online e-mail and chat services, like Gmail and Google Chat.
Two attendees of a recent Computer Basics class, Margarita and Teresa, feel that their newfound computer skills have improved their lives immeasurably. They are able to communicate via e-mail, take online English language learning courses, and create resumes. Teresa is working towards her GED and Margarita is able to search for jobs online. They have a new sense of confidence and feel competent working with computers and navigating the Internet. Teresa is also learning how to read and write Spanish, her native language, using the services and technology offered through the Computer Basics class.
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La Casa Hogar clients, Margarita and Teresa, attend a Computer Basics course taught off-site in Wapato.
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As noted in the introduction, La Casa Hogar was recently awarded a technology planning grant from the Washington State Broadband Office. They will assess and identify the needs that child care businesses have related to computer technology use and broadband access, and develop digital inclusion implementation strategies and an overall plan based on their findings.
For more information, visit La Casa Hogar's website: http://www.lacasahogar.com.
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| What's New in the Communities Connect Network | |
Curriculum Development and Technology Planning Workshop
Earlier this month, the University of Washington Information School hosted a Curriculum Development and Technology Planning Workshop for staff and volunteers at community technology centers. Facilitated by Samantha Becker, Research Project Director at the Information School, the half-day session included a discussion of best practices in the field and tips for effective curriculum design. Additionally, the 23 attendees viewed a demonstration of the CCN Web Portal Resource Library, which has over 100 resources including computer learning curriculum in English and Spanish.
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Peter Gruenbaum of SDK Bridge and Raymona Baldwin
of Alliance of People with disAbilities
connect during the Curriculum Workshop.
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Workshop participants also expanded their networks by meeting other community technology providers doing similar work. A second workshop will be held next month. For more information, contact Samantha Becker at srbecker@uw.edu.
Yakama Nation Library Update
The Yakama Nation Library in Toppenish has updated their lab with new Mac desktop computers. These computers are equipped with multimedia software, including Final Cut Pro, the industry standard for video editing software. Lab Assistant Michael Sekaquaptewa is proficient with the new software, and has been providing one-on-one assistance to users editing and creating multimedia projects like photo galleries and videos.
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| Resources | |
Digital Literacy and Non-Profit Technology
Common Sense Media Resources for Educators
Relevant, ready-to-use instruction helps you guide students to make safe, smart, and ethical decisions in the digital world where they live, study and play.
Developing the Digital Learner
Intel's guide supporting effective use of technology to improve learning, productivity, and collaboration.
Get Connected!
Project of the California Emerging Technology Fund providing users with the education and tools necessary to help them feel comfortable using the Internet for work and play.
Technology Literacy Collaborative
Network of digital inclusion supporters committed to sharing best practices, advocating for technology literacy skills and access, and promoting collaborative efforts.
Broadband Adoption
Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
Membership organization developing the standards and solutions that are creating the future of the information and communications technology industry; website includes a document center for worldwide technical operations standards for information, entertainment and communications technologies.
International Technology Innovation Foundation
Non-partisan research and educational institute that focuses on innovation, productivity, and digital economy issues.
Living on the Dark Side of the Digital Divide
Seattle Times article about rural regions of Washington state struggling with low-speed or no Internet service.
Rural Mobile and Broadband Alliance
Represents over 250 rural broadband companies and publishes white papers on current problems and possible solutions.
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| Capacity Building Opportunities | |
Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County Webinars
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County has worked with their partners to create a series of engaging workshops on three important topics: Financial Fitness, Using the Self-Sufficiency Calculator, and Job Search Skills in the New Economy. For the first time, these workshops will be offered as webinars and are open to all interested participants. The webinars were initially offered in August-September 2012. All materials and webinar recordings are now available on the CCN website under CCN Programs-Training.
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About CCN
| Mission: Communities Connect Network (CCN) works to ensure digital inclusion and technology opportunities for all residents of Washington State.
For more information about Communities Connect Network (CCN), please contact Leslie Rae Schmitz, Senior Project Director for Digital Inclusion a t lschmitz@edlabgroup.org or 425.477.4741 x 4778.    |
| About the EdLab Group | 
The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit organization with funding from federal and state governments, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our mission is to leverage the power of technology and diversity to transform teaching and learning. We respect your privacy and do not sell, share or allow our list to be viewed by other individuals or companies. For more information about the EdLab Group, visit our website at www.edlabgroup.org. |
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