When people refer to the Digital Divide, they're most likely talking about individuals and families without access to technology and its extraordinary potential to improve lives. But the Digital Divide applies equally to nonprofit organizations, on which entire communities depend frequently for help and vital services. Quite often, these agencies lack access to the information technology that would allow them to deliver services better, manage costs and maximize results.
But since 1997, a small army of AmeriCorps*VISTA workers have been part of a unique project aimed at bringing nonprofit agencies into the information technology era. The program, called Teaming for Technology, is a national partnership among IBM, United Way of America and AmeriCorps*VISTA to develop leadership and technological skills among nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.
Teaming for Technology: Gaining skills, making a community impact
At the heart of Teaming for Technology are the AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers who are managed by local chapters of the United Way. These volunteers receive training by IBM to assist the nonprofits in developing technology plans, training their staff in the use of technology and software, and even developing special software applications. In the process, the volunteers learn important career skills like installing hardware and software in IBM technology donated to the nonprofits.
To Brian Joyce, director of technology outreach for United Way of New York City, and manager of Teaming for Technology, the project is an outstanding example of a partnership between the public and private sector, with powerful results for the nonprofit community. "This is vitally important because of the ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots," Joyce said. "Teaming For Technology is increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to better serve people and the community through the use of technology."
The IBM Teaming for Technology initiative is taking place in the following cities:
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Burlington, VT
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
Endicott, NY
Ft. Worth, TX
Los Angeles, CA
New York City, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Raleigh, NC
Rochester, MN
San Francisco, CA
Tampa, FL
Washington, DC
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