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Real People
How has affirmative action worked in practice? Here are real-life stories of how affirmative action has opened the doors of opportunity and what this access has meant to real people's lives, workplaces, schools, and communities.
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Sharon C. Waters, VA |
Our CTC, the Peninsula Community Technology Center Program, a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium(VSGC), KIDTECH, and the Newport News (VA) Public Library System (NNPLS) is unique because it has combined its existing resources and
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Sharon C. Waters, VA |
Our CTC program, a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, the Newport News Public Library System, and KIDTECH, a CTC since 1996, has provided access to technology to more than 14,000 community residents and has trained more than 1800 children, adults and seniors in basic computer skills since the grant's inception in May 2000.
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Scott Pulte, TX |
Overview
The North Texas Rural Network Community Technology Centers in finishing up its second year of operation is successfully bridging the "digital divide" in the North Texas area. The NTRN-CTC in continuing to increase access to technology for low-income and rural individuals has expanded its services and staff extensively over the past year. The program, established by a Department of Education Grant, has expanded its partnerships within the communities, recruited community-based volunteers to help run the CTC's, and has broadened the course curriculum to better educate community members. The introduction of Americorp VISTA's into the NTRN-CTC has substantially helped to market and promote the program, while also providing leadership and stability. The results of their tiresome efforts have lead to an enormous increase in attendance and participation from the community. Community partners, lead by North Central Texas College are vital to the success of the NTRN-CTC program. Several new key community partners were developed over the past year, including: Muenster Public Library, Saint Jo ISD, and the Booker T. Washington Community Center. They have been instrumental in marketing our program to specific low income and rural areas, allowing people to have access to our services that otherwise would not. With the help of all partners involved, the NTRN-CTC has successfully opened up three new satellite centers and established a mobile technology unit all during the second year of operation.
The following goals are being addressed and accomplished through the efforts of the Community Technology Centers partnership:
Goal 1 - Expand partnerships with community organizations and agencies to establish Community Technology Centers to provide access to computers and technology to adults and children in low-income communities.
Goal 2 - Develop a model project that demonstrates the educational effectiveness of technology.
Goal 3 - Expand access to information technology and related services in economically distressed rural communities
Goal 4 - Analyze and evaluate CTC outcomes and effectiveness to determine the success of the project.
During the second year, the NTRN-CTC has continued offering after-school activities, adult education and family literacy programs, career development and job preparation training, small business development activities, and assisted participants in gaining home access. We have expanded our curriculum by offering many new classes over the past year including: PC Repair, Using a CD Writer, Scanning, Digital Cameras, Computer Crafts, and Print Shop. Community members have overwhelmingly responded to the new courses with high attendance, and waiting lists are now a common occurrence for each course. The NTRN program currently has a total of seven Community Technology Centers open throughout Cooke and Montague County, as well as a mobile unit that currently serves several rural areas in both counties.
Locations of NTRN-CTCs
Cooke County Montague County
North Central Texas College North Central Texas College
Gainesville Campus Bowie Campus
1525 W. California St. 811 S. Mill
Gainesville Bowie
Booker T. Washington Center Bowie High School
701 Muller 800 N. Mill
Gainesville Bowie
Cooke County Youth Center Bowie Public Library
315 W. Hird 301 Walnut
Gainesville Bowie
Gainesville Housing Authority
715 E. California St.
Gainesville
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Rich Garcia, AZ |
Although most Americans enjoy the benefits of electricity, telephone access, running water and jobs, the majority of Tolani Lake community members have yet to experience these innovations, let alone computer or Internet access. Tolani Lake Elementar
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Phyllis Gain / Sheryl Abshire, LA |
Our community tech center program is new this year, so the centers have not been open long. However, the response from the community has been phenomenal. Our community residents either have no access to technology or have no idea how to use that te
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Jared Goldstein, NY |
Yes. This project is generating economic activity among small businesses, nonprofit organizations, large corporations and affordable housing co-operatives in low-income neighborhoods. Less than a half million dollars' funding is going to be levera
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Gurbhushan Singh, MO |
I am the director of this program at Penn Valley and our Pioneer Campus. In the past 14 months we have helped over 3000 community members with this project. Here are some stories from our members.
I took classes at Penn Valley's Community Technology Center and learned a lot of computer skills I needed to know, the instructors helped me a lot too. Thanks to the free computer classes, I'm working for PVCTC and using the skills I learned there.
Karen Paz
Member # 9
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I am grateful to have the technology center as a resource. It offers training for the beginner and also for those with minimal or moderate levels of skill. It offers a workable schedule for many working people. The staff is courteous, helpful and well trained. They even provide users with reminder calls for the scheduled classes. The automated training programs are useful in that instructors are not required and one can proceed at one's own pace.
I was previously enrolled at Rockhurst College. Such training was not offered there. Penn Valley, however, has actually reached out to the community and has provided computer access to the public. I came to the center at the promptings of a neighbor. When I arrived I was impressed by the equipment, the staff and the level of instruction. Yet, unlike the atmosphere of an elitist school, the center provides a relaxed environment that is conducive of learning and which is supportive of the school's ethnically diverse learning environment.
The Technology Center is an asset for those who do not have readily available computer access. It offers training that is required for a number of positions. On a personal level, it has enhanced the quality of my life.
Arthur Greene
Member # 362
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After receiving a back injury while working in the warehouse it forced me to fall back on a skill that I had not done in years. So I started looking for a way to improve on my computer skills, since I had
already had office skills.
The Community Technology Center at Penn Valley Community College has been a blessing to me. The center has given me the chance to improve on my computer skills so that I can be successful in getting a good job.
The staff is also a blessing, they take the time to help me with any problem(s) that I may run into and help me get on the right track. I would like to take this time to thank not only the Technology Center but also the staff for being there and helping me to reach my goals.
Charles Logan
Member # 339
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I have been with the Community Technology Center from conception, starting with Southwestern Bell TeleCommunity Center. I have been promoted to teaching classes to our members so I have learned quite a bit from our members and how to approach them in teaching techniques. It has built my self-esteem helping others grow and learning technology as we go along the road to success.
I give the CTC a thumbs up and suggest that you come and try us for yourself, you just might enjoy it. After all, its free.
Debbie Moore-Hargrove
Member # 003
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After being employed with GMAC for 17 years, in May I was offered a Career Transition Opportunity, this was essentially a buy out. I was devastated at first, but I turned it into a positive. I was 15 credits away from graduating from Park University with a BA in Marketing. I searched through the Penn Valley catalog and ran across the MTSI program.
MTSI was described as a 12-week program, which would earn 15 credits. When I called to enroll the secretary told me it would cover Office Professional 2000 and multimedia. I thought well this would certainly make me a marketable person with my degree if I thoroughly understood these programs and could execute projects that had a professional appeal.
MTSI has taught me not only the programs and how they work, but troubleshooting also. I was ? the way through the class when I stumbled on a job opportunity with Crawford Sales Company (a distribution company for Budweiser). When I went to apply they gave a 5-page math test and an Excel test. I past both test without a hitch. The Excel part was only possible due to the extensive work I did with Excel within MTSI. I am sure without this class I would not have been able to pass the test.
I am totally grateful to Mr. Macke and Penn Valley for offering this program. Within the 12 weeks Mr. Macke also taught time management and the ability to successfully complete work orders with are multi-task assignments. I believe the greatest skill I have taken away from this class is to step back take a look and size up the task before you attempt. Make sure you know everything that is expected, if you do this you will not miss anything and ensure the work is completed to meet all expectations.
Carrie Simpson
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Thanks to the instructor, Debbie Hargrove, I have successfully completed the following classes; e-mail, Computer Literacy, and Internet. My job performance has been greatly enhanced as a result of these classes. CTC staff is a blessing and they make each student feel important despite his/her level of performance.
James Bridgeford
Member # 2020
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I started taking computer skills classes about three months ago. The instructors were so helpful that I learned enough that I bought a computer and I am currently enrolled at Penn Valley Community College studying to be a social worker. The classes I took at the CTC have been of great help. I would like thank the entire staff and instructors very much. Thank you.
Nylie Williams
Member # 1423
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The "learning journey on the computer" in the computer lab at Penn Valley Community College has been a very pleasant one. It is possible to make this statement because of the following reasons;
1. The tutorials provide an initial, simulated computer experience.
2. The learner can then graduate to one of the many state of the art computers in the lab.
3. The size, quiet atmosphere, and decor in the lab are very conducive to learning.
4. The availability of lab assistants allows the student to ask questions and receive timely answers.
5. The lab hours are well planned, permitting frequent access to the facilities.
6. The lab locations are accessible by both private vehicle and public transportation.
Thank you.
Gretchen Brown
Member # 2162
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I enjoy coming to the Community Technology Center and hope this lab stays open. I started about three years ago knowing nothing but how to click a mouse button. A month later I taught myself "HTML" some "Java-script", DHTML, and ready to learn "Macromedia Flash". I am a self taught individual and pick up on things fast. I create web-pages now, and offer my services nationwide-thanks to using the computers at Penn Valley's CTC. Because of this great center, I have produced two books and they are selling nationwide, not to mention the kind caring staff always there to help and answer any questions. So we all need this center to stay open. If I can make myself a webmaster so can any other individual. The tools are at the Community Technology Center and without tools you cannot f
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Gigi Davidson, HI |
We have been providing technology literacy classes to both elementary school children and also adults in an area that could not afford these classes. it is clear the participants do not have these skills which are necessary in today's world.
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Brian Komar, AL |
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Public Service Announcement Our PSA campaign reminds viewers why affirmative action works.
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Click on an image or a link to hear a real-life story
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View the entire PSA
