How to Start & Run a Community Computer Center Andrew Sears Coordinator, PREP Community Computer Center, Bruce Wall Ministries Director, Association of Christian Community Computer Centers “Giving People Skills to Make a Living and a Foundation to Make a Life”

Outline Background and Need Ideas for Running a Computer Center – What are people currently doing – About the Association of Christian Community Computer Centers – Ideas for ministry from our experience at the PREP Community Computer Center How to Start a Center

What is the “Digital Divide”? The “digital divide” is the gap that separates those with access and training on computers and the Internet from those without.

Digital Divide Across Income & Race

The New Economy Jobs Down 55-65%* * In a range of Northern cities between , When Work Disappears ** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago *** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%** 65% of all jobs use computers 90% of all jobs use computer- related technologies Jobs Grown to 7.4 million & Increasing 6.5% per year Manufacturing Computer Industry ***

The New Economy Manufacturing Computer Industry *** Jobs Down 55-65%* * In a range of Northern cities between , When Work Disappears ** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago *** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%** Average wage in IT-producing industries was $58, ,000 IT jobs remain vacant nationwide and 1.7 million need to be filled by 2003

The Church and the Digital Divide The term “Sunday School” originated from a major literacy drive by the church in the 1800’s; Christians can also lead the computer literacy drive Books Basic Literacy Computers Computer Literacy This is one of the best funded areas for serving the community Schools and the government can only do so much

Ideas for Running a Computer Center

What is a Christian Community Computer Center Christian Community Computer Center Defined: any ministry using computers as an outreach to serve the community – There are over 1,000 community computer centers in the US and it is likely that over 100 of these are Christian centers – Range from ministries with less than 5 computers to ministries with over 50 computers

Community Computer Centers Economic Development Gospel Missions Adult Education Job Training After School Programs Teen Ministry Arts/Media Ministry Walk-in Computer Access Entrepreneurship Programs Computer Refurbishing Computer Classes Certified Training Centers

Association of Christian Community Computer Centers Mission: – To support and promote the use of computers and technology in Christian outreach ministries – To assist the 60+ identified existing Christian community computer centers and help others get started – To partner with national organizations to support CCCC’s Pursuing partnerships with CCDA, Mission Year and CTCNet Web: or

Joining ACCCC Join for free now, but may have a fee in the future Benefits – Keep informed of events of interest to Community Computer Centers, Grants, Computer Donations – Share program information – Participate in future joint programs Sign up on sheet or send to

PREP Community Computer Center Joint Program of – Bruce Wall Ministries – Dorchester Temple Baptist Church – Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship – PREP Activities – 15+ Computer Classes to 220 students each semester – Walk-In Computer Center with 20 visits per day – Youth Run Web Design Business – After School Technology Curriculum – Mentoring: provides relational time with students – Saturday Lunch: provides relational time with students

Sponsorship and Growth In first year, received over $300,000 in donations from: – Microsoft – Adobe – Filene Foundation – PowerUP – Gateway Computer – Individuals Now have a staff of nine and about 30 volunteers Have two computer rooms with a total of 40 computers

Program AreasGoals Nine Week Classes (250 students) Build Skills Needed for Employment Develop Initial Relationship Youth Staff & Certifications (20) Provide Experience and Credentials Needed for Jobs Provide discipleship Two-Week Classes (250 students) Walk-in Center (2,500 visits) After School Technology Curriculum (30) Decrease Barriers to Using Computers Establish contact Get Mentored (50) Volunteer/Assist with Classes Practice Material and Advance Learning Develop deeper relationship Student Advancement Spiritual and Skill Development Plan

Ideas for Church Involvement Establish Computer Ministry within churches Great partnership opportunity for suburban and urban churches – Many people in suburban churches will get involved in outreach ministries in urban communities because of their interest in computers – Great opportunity for reconciliation and transformation – PREP Volunteers: 20 suburban an 10 urban (most raised up through program) Classes provide good opportunity for volunteers – Have teaching assistants who train their first semester to teach the class while helping with the class

Ideas for Youth Computers can easily become a component of an after school program Walk in center is popular with teens – Music mixing popular allowing them to write a CD of their songs (get free download of Hip Hop eJay from Internet) – Internet access is popular (high speed connection: DSL or cable needed, see appendix for info on connecting a network and Internet connection sharing) We’ve found youth want the advanced and media classes while more adults want the basic classes Youth staff supervise our walk-in center, but another adult is always in the building – great opportunity for youth to lead, learn and be discipled Youth Run Business: Web design business, T-Shirts, Graphics Design, Video Production

Ideas for Classes Make a major effort initially to let the community know – This is needed to have applicants at start of semester – We handed out 3,000+ flyers & table-tents on street, in schools, stores & restaurants – Got mailing list of our community from Boston’s Voter Registration Records and mailed to 10,000 residents Meals between classes can provide opportunities for relationship building Project based classes work well Teens and adults can work in same classes, but adults taking classes with younger children does not work See list of classes in Appendix

Issues to Consider Computer ministry should be relational ministry – “It’s not about the technology, it’s about the people.” Center needs to be in an organization that is indigenous to community being served and raise up indigenous leaders Web filtering software on all computers (see appendix for list of filtering software) – Some software programs do not filter Web based (i.e. Hotmail) – We do not allow chat or non-educational games Security is a major issue: – BWM has an alarm system and motion detectors and are installing a “panic” button for lab monitors and video entry cameras Software licensing is an issue

How to Start a Computer Center

Things You Need God’s support People: staff support/volunteers – Technical support is a must – Can get work-study students from colleges for tech support Space: to house computers – Look for space in churches and Multiservice centers Equipment: computers, network, Internet connection Software Advertising/marketing Money: varies depending on your goals

Getting Equipment & Software Make announcements in churches that you are looking for computer donations from individuals and companies – relational method works best – Suburban churches may have many people in companies with computers to donate – Specify minimum requirements and types of computers We use Jumpstart software with kids Get 20 new Gateway computers by joining PowerUP (see grants section)

Getting Equipment & Software through Gifts-in-Kind & Compumentor Register with Gifts in Kind International ( – Cost $125 and must be Non profit 501(c)(3) and use software for service to community – Cost $225 for 5 used computers 486 & above laptops/desktops – Network hubs for $50 – Get copies of most major software for $30 (Windows, Office 2000, Adobe products, etc) – Provide great discounts (90% off) on office products, projectors, clothes, etc. Use Compumentor for software discounts ( – Most major software for only $30 and no registration fee

Getting Grants PowerUP ( – Get 20 new gateway computers with software – Get $20-40k in funding over 3 years – Looking to partner with faith-based groups with after-school & teen programs (awarding thousands of grants targeting youth) – Deadlines: March 15, 2001 and August 15, 2001 – Requires that you have 2 full-time staff that can help with lab (but do not have to spend all their time on the lab) – Application at:

Getting Grants CTCNET AmeriCorps/VISTA Grant – Provides full time staff positions for a year for $2,000 – To apply must first pay $100 to join CTCNet ( – Have some restrictions on these staff “leading religious services” during paid time, but one of the most open gov’t programs toward faith-based groups, and you select the staff – Should open application process around Feb, 2001 – Contact Peter Miller of CTCNet at or Get list of technology grants – Directory of Computer and High Technology Grants ($53) from Research Grant Guides, Inc. (order on Amazon.com) HUD Neighborhood Networks Initiative will fund centers in housing projects (which Christian groups could run)

For More Information Visit Association of Christian Community Computer Centers Web site and join list – Get information on grants, hardware donations, share ideas, etc – Join for free now, but will have a fee to join in future Visit or Call Andrew Sears at Join Community Technology Centers Network ( get on list and go to national conference each June – Best information resource available Visit HUD’s Neighborhood Networks at –

Appendix

Web Site Filtering Software CleanWeb ( CyberPatrol ( Cybersitter ( CyberSnoop ( Net Nanny ( Net Shepherd ( Safesurf ( Watchdog ( We Blocker (free at X-Stop (

Setting Up A Network & Internet Connection Sharing Need the following – Computers with one Ethernet card in each – Ethernet cabling between computers and Ethernet hub (called RJ-45 cable) – Computer to serve as “firewall” to connect to network (with either 2 Ethernet cards or one Ethernet card and one modem) – Proxy or Firewall Software An easy setup version comes with Windows Millennium Edition as Internet connection sharing A good inexpensive package is Comsocks ( – Ethernet Hub Get 24 port hub from Gifts in Kind for $50 Get 16 port hub from for about $200 Get from local computer stores

Internet Connection Sharing Ethernet Cable Ethernet Cables Ethernet Cable Cable or DSL Modem Rehular Modem Either/Or Internet

Internet Connection Sharing (Configuration) Do not need to do this if using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing Under TCP/IP Configuration – Server: on card connecting to clients IP Address: Gateway: get from network provider DNS: get from network provider Subnet Mask: Other Card/Modem: get config from network provider – Client Machines IP Address: Anything from 0 to 255 but must be unique Gateway: DNS: Subnet Mask: Configure Options in Browser to Use Proxy at Call proxy/firewall software provider for help

PREP Mission To serve those in urban centers by providing community computer access and education needed for employment, spiritual development and to equip the Christian community to do the same.

Office Track Classes Intro to ComputersIntro to the Internet Basics 1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good subject knowledge. 2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters. Establish Basic Computer Knowledge; highly employable in office jobs, administrative assistant and temp work Goals Word MOUS Test PREP Excel MOUS Test PREP Advanced Level (or start Track for Multimedia) Typing MentoringIntro to WordIntro to Excel Intermediate

Multimedia Track Classes Employment or Start New Businesses as as Web Designer, Graphic Designer or in Video Production, Get FrontPage Certification Goals 1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good subject knowledge. 2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters. Web DesignGraphics Design Intermediate Video ProductionEntrepreneurship Basics Digital Music Studio Advanced Level Youth Run BusinessMentoring FrontPage 2000 Certification

Volunteer Development Plan Assisting with a class Teaching a class PREP Leadership Team Part/Full Time Staff/ Starting Another Program Joining PREP Ministry Taking a Class (as needed) Small Group in Church Church Attendance Living Waters/ Personal Healing Certifications Career Advancement PREP Volunteer Community SHAPE & Vocational Considerations Spiritual DevelopmentSkill/Leadership DevelopmentCareer Development Career Changes Racial Reconciliation

Digital Divide Across Families