Tech Saturdays to Continue in 09

Feb 3, 2009

Innovative program addressing the digital divide in Harlem to continue in 2009.

New York (Feb. 3, 09) - A new program aimed at increasing Internet-ready computers and broadband adoption in the Harlem community will continue throughout 2009, thanks to generous donations of computers and ongoing support from volunteers from the community. With a renewed emphasis in the U.S. to increase adoption of computers and broadband and the new administration's call to "embody the spirit of service," the volunteer group from Tech Saturdays will continue to provide free computers to Harlem families and educate residents on the importance of broadband.

Known as Tech Saturdays in Harlem, the program was developed by The Children's Storefront on 129th Street and the Wireless Harlem Initiative in early 2008 as a way to close the gap in computer and broadband usage in Harlem. Since Tech Saturdays was established one year ago, it has become a true community effort with volunteers from local NYC independent schools, including Horace Mann School, The School at Columbia, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Buckley School, Columbia Grammar School and The Children's Storefront.

Several Harlem residents have seen positive results at home since they attended a Tech Saturday last year. One resident said that her child has been able to "complete their homework assignments and much more" since attending, another said that it has helped his son a 10th Grader in Harlem "broaden his awareness of local and international matters," and another parent said that the "array of programs installed on the computers has allowed my children to expand their horizons in this technological age."

The first Tech Saturday of 2009 will be held on 2/7/09 at The Children''s Storefront located at 70 East 129th Street. In addition, the group is adding two extensions to its program this year, a Tech Saturday for Young Ones on 3/7/09 and a Tech Saturday for Harlem Businesses (date not yet announced). Two corporate supporters include the AlphaSmart/Renaissance company and the Tequipment Smartboard company. The Tech Saturdays Tech Team is seeking additional corporate support to expand services and increase the number of residents it reaches.

Since the first Tech Saturday took place in January of 2008, the group estimates that they gave away over 300 computers to Harlem families. The only requirement for attendees is that the family lives in Harlem and has a student in grades 4 - 12. A parent or guardian must attend a three hour tutorial along with the child, during which the Tech Team provides instruction on using the Tech Saturday software, educational games, Internet safety, online honesty and how to get connected to the Web.

Tech Saturdays now has a waiting list of over 150 families. The computers which the Tech Team refurbishes are both Macs and PCs donated by dozens of independent schools throughout New York City and New England. The tech team is planning to continue Tech Saturdays over the next few years in their never-ending quest to help Harlem boys and girls gain computer access.

You can e-mail sb@cstorefront.org for more information or call 212-427-7900 ext 333. Additional information can be found at www.techsaturdays.org including the application form.