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City of Seattle
NOTE: This news release has been retained for historical use ONLY! While the text was accurate at the date of the release, the contact information may be out of date.
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NEWS ADVISORY
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SUBJECT: Seattle awards funds to help close the digital divide
Nine community projects to receive money
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
7/16/2001 4:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Keyes – (206) 386-9759
Emily Bancroft - (206) 233-2751
Katherine Schubert-Knapp (206) 684-0909
Kathy Sugiyama (206) 684-0909
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Seattle awards funds to help close the digital divide
Nine community projects to receive money
SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council today approved funding for
nine Technology Matching Fund projects totaling $138,000, which will be matched by community resources amounting to more than $344,000. This year’s awards mark the fourth year of the program. Since 1998, the city has contributed more than $750,000 in Technology Matching Funds to 51 projects, with community contributions totaling $1.6 million.
The Technology Matching Fund is a key component of the city’s citizens’ technology literacy and access program whose goal is to help close the digital divide. The fund supports citizen-driven projects that build capacity in technologically underserved communities. The effectiveness of the Technology Matching Fund comes from the range of diverse community groups it funds each year, including senior centers, refugee groups, low-income housing projects and the arts community.
"Many of the seniors who come to our trainings are frustrated because a family member has tried to teach them to use a computer, but doesn’t understand how unfamiliar technology is to seniors," said Burke Dykes, technology trainer at the West Seattle Senior Center, which is one of this year’s funded projects. "We offer our students a quiet and safe space to learn about computers at their own speed, where they know they won’t be ridiculed or feel devalued. Currently, our computers are so old that they don’t even have CD-ROMs or sound cards. This grant will allow us to upgrade our computers and lab to better meet the needs of the growing numbers of seniors who want to learn to use technology."
"These projects are having an impact in so many communities," says Mayor Paul Schell. "They demonstrate how technology really can connect and empower people in a whole different way. I’m pleased not only with the tremendous amount of interest shown by the community but by the variety of projects being funded."
"Many of Seattle’s seniors, kids and minority community members are getting access to computers and knowledge in using computers that they might not otherwise get at all. I feel great about this program," said City Councilmember Jim Compton, chair of the Public Safety and Technology Committee.
There were 21applications for this year’s funds, requesting a total of more than $420,000. Recommendations for funding projects are made by the Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board (CTTAB). CTTAB is a 15-member volunteer board appointed by the mayor and City Council. CTTAB’s purpose is to advise the mayor and City Council on issues of communitywide interest relating to telecommunications and technology.
"The TMF awards allows the city of Seattle to address core issues surrounding the digital divide and the information haves and have-nots on a very local and neighborhood level," says Jerry Whiting, CTTAB Chair and a member of the review committee. "I was very impressed with the caliber of projects applying for grants and the breadth of issues being addressed. I’m looking forward to following this year’s TMF recipients progress as their newly funded projects get under way and begin to make positive contributions to our community."
In the fall of 2000, Seattle’s Department of Information Technology conducted a survey to learn more about how Seattle residents are connecting to the Internet and each other, as well as their use of information technology and their information technology needs. While the study found that Seattle residents have high access to information technology overall, it also found there is a significant digital divide for low-income families, those with less education, senior citizens, African Americans, and Hispanics. To learn more, visit: http://www.cityofseattle.net/tech/indicators/
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Department of Information Technology
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Note to editors and reporters:
A synopsis of each Technology Matching Fund project
immediately follows this release.
More information regarding the Citizens Literacy and Access Fund, the Technology Matching Fund and the Citizens’ Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board is available on-line via the City’s Web site: http://www.cityofseattle.net/tech/
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2001 Technology Matching Fund Awards
Following are the community groups, and their projects, approved for funding this year:
- IMC Technology Learning Center Project — Seattle Independent Media Center
Establish a Technology Learning Center to develop computer literacy and multimedia skills with a focus on the constituents of several citywide, grass-roots organizations who have not traditionally had access to technological resources.
Funding: $23,600 (community match: $79,590)
- Expansion of Computer-Based Resource Center — Horn of Africa Services
Expand Internet access and multilingual computer classes by installing supplementary hardware and software, increasing staff hours, and strengthening the lab’s capacity to accommodate 1,500 users and meet additional demands for training.
Funding: $25,980 (community match: $52,345)
- SeattleNeighborhoods.org — Seattle Community Network Association
To assist neighborhood computer labs by offering free train-the-trainer classes and workshops ranging from navigating e-mail and the Web, to helping small community nonprofits put up web sites.
Funding: $25,000 (community match: $81,000)
- Increasing Public Access & Enhancing Services — Wallingford Community Senior Center
Improve the capacity of the center’s existing computer lab by purchasing adaptive equipment and expanding the lab’s hours of operation so it can be used more effectively by seniors and people with disabilities.
Funding: $9,249 (community match: $9,481)
- Computer Literacy Program For Seniors — Heritage House at the Market/ Providence
Establish a small lab for low-income, nursing-home-eligible seniors which will be used as part of a program that matches seniors with high school students and other community volunteers to teach basic computer, Internet and e-mail skills.
Funding: $3,583.80 (community match: $7,844)
- West Seattle Senior Center Computer Lab Upgrade — West Seattle Senior Center
Upgrade an existing 11-station computer lab to better meet students’ needs. In addition to upgrading hardware and software, new equipment will be purchased.
Funding: $18,490.88 (community match: $26,966.70)
- Transitioning with Technology — Digital Promise
Upgrade existing labs in two transitional and low-income housing buildings; develop and train individuals at these locations to use computer and web tools targeting their specific needs.
Funding: $18,615 (community match: $24,316)
- Community Technology Access & Literacy Lab Project — People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN)
Improve access to technology and technology training for communities of color in Seattle by expanding an existing computer center in central Seattle.
Funding: $8,065.12 (community match: $48,866)
- Delridge OnRamp Career and Computer Access Center — Delridge Community Center Advisory Council
Enhance the capacity of the existing Delridge OnRamp lab to provide computer instruction and career assistance by replacing outdated computer hardware and software, and purchasing educational software for children.
Funding: $5,500 (community match: $13,826)
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