Current Programs

Computer Centers: Center Lifeline

The Center Lifeline program has been established to support the computer learning centers that Digital Promise serves. In order to provide support to the centers, Digital Promise provides a HARDWARE/SOFTWARE CLEARINGHOUSE, which is a collection of donated new and used computers, monitors, printers, and software. Through the CLEARINGHOUSE, Digital Promise provides its computer learning centers with equipment and software as needed. Another service provided under the Computer Lifeline program is finding free or discounted services, such as Internet connection, phone lines, and technical support persons. Finally, under the Center Lifeline program, Digital Promise provides other equipment to the centers, such as chairs, desks, ink cartridges, toners, and paper.

Computer Centers: Funding Empowerment

The purpose of the Funding Empowerment program is to help the computer learning centers that Digital Promise serves to become economically stable. In order to become economically stable, Digital Promise helps its centers perform a fundraising assessment to determine fundraising strengths and weaknesses. Once strengths and weaknesses have been determined, information on fundraising options is offered to the computer learning centers. Digital Promise also offers tips and tools for effective grant writing, and provides information on where to apply for grants that are specific to individual center's needs.

Computer Centers: Tech Knowledge

The Tech Knowledge program has been developed to offer technical information and support to the computer learning centers. Digital Promise offers training to the computer learning center staff on how to use the equipment and software provided to them through the Hardware/Software Clearinghouse. Digital Promise also offers support to the centers by organizing classes to be taught at the centers. Instruction manuals were developed for course instructors to aid in classes such as basic Internet navigation, how to set up an on-line email account, and how to use basic word processing software. An additional service of the Tech Knowledge program is to help centers find volunteer support staff for the computer learning center. These volunteers will help support the centers by managing the centers, organizing classes, teaching classes, and providing technical assistance such as networking the computers.

Computer Centers: Community Connection

Digital Promise wants to form a connection between each of the centers it serves. In order to do this, the Community Connection program was created. Under this program, Digital Promise will form List Serves for all of its members to keep informed on organization news. To build the sense of community among its centers, Digital Promise is committed to sharing information on new software, government programs, items in the clearinghouse, and what's going on in other centers. One way of achieving a community connection is to host regular "round table" discussions in which centers can meet with one another and share information about individual centers and voice concerns. These discussions may include guest speakers to share information that is of interest to the centers.

All text and images are from the Digital Promise website.

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