Software Donation Creates Computer Lab for City Kids' After-School Program
Central Community Services (CCS) is a nonprofit organization that promotes educational artistic and community development in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1998 CCS launched AfterSchool@Central, its after-school tutoring program designed to assist neighborhood children by providing academic support and mentoring relationships. With more than 30 volunteers, CCS is able to match each student with a personal tutor. Each child receives one-on-one homework help and individual mentorship.
However, most of the children who were enrolled did not have access to a computer in their own home. The program's longstanding goal to provide a computer lab became a reality when CCS received donations of computers and of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. This gift gave CCS the ability to enrich its curriculum with the much-needed computer lab.
Students have been able to play educational games, research topics, and build their computer literacy. Volunteer tutors, most of whom are college students proficient in technology, now have the tools to better mentor their students. CCS even expanded the program to assist parents via an evening family literacy program that offers computer classes, parenting classes, and English language classes.
