Preface
New York City's Community Technology Centers (CTCs)
New York City's 136 CTCs are at the forefront of efforts to close
the digital divide in low-income communities across the five boroughs.
Located in community based organizations (CBOs) as well as selected
local libraries, New York City Housing Authority developments, Parks
Department centers, and Housing and Urban Development sites (known
as Neighborhood Networks), CTCs move far beyond a simple computers-in-a-room
approach to technology in favor of a multi-faceted approach that
mobilizes a broad range of social services beyond just technology
empowerment. According to a 2000 survey by the NYC non-profit MOUSE,
the average NYC CTC has 24 computers and serves 184 people per month.
Citywide, CTCs serve an estimated average of almost 300,000 people
per year, offering a total of 26 different types of technology training
programs.
Definition
CTCs offer free, or low-cost technology training programs as well
as unstructured access to computers and the Internet - with employment
services, daycare, and housing assistance often complimenting these
technology specific resources.
In general, the technology training programs themselves range from
the beginner level to full certification tracks while unassisted
computer usage is often divided between students, adults, and seniors
during weekends, weeknights, and after school hours when many other
technology access points in the city are closed. Indeed, for many
people in the low-income communities throughout the five boroughs,
the neighborhood CTC is the only place where all family members
can affordably and conveniently access the technology tools of our
new economy.
The Institute for Learning Technologies
Over the course of the 90's, the Institute for Learning Technologies
at Columbia University / Teachers College (ILT) has been involved
in initiatives aimed at the deployment of interactive multimedia
telecommunications technologies in the schools and CB0's of Harlem
and Upper Manhattan. Beginning with the Harlem Environmental Access
Project (HEAP), which was funded by the NTIA in its first round
of funding, ILT has been spearheading the development of a test
bed of schools, libraries, CBO's and corporate organizations all
platformed on and using advanced new media technologies. All of
this activity coalesces under the umbrella of the Eiffel Project
which is a five-year technology diffusion initiative funded by the
Technology Learning Challenge Grants Program. ILT is also a co-partner
with the Abyssinian Development Corporation in the HR2K1 Project
and the New York Online Neighborhood Educational Network. Both of
these projects are community technology center development initiatives.
Partners and Supporters of the Community Technology Center Bank
The Community Technology Center Bank (hereafter referred to as the CTC
Bank) was made possible by a one-year technology assistance grant from
the New York City Council included in the City’s FY2002 budget. ILT
would like to thank the New York City Council, the Economic Development
Corporation, and especially Former Speaker Peter F. Vallone, the Former
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Small Business, Retail and Emerging
Technologies Angel Rodriguez, and Former Councilmember Herbert Berman
for their dedication to the issue of technology empowerment as well as
their stewardship of the CTC Bank initiative. Moreover, the CTC Bank
would not have been possible without the strong support of several
community based organizations operating CTCs across the five boroughs:
in particular, the Abyssinian Development Corporation, Citizens
Committee, the National Puerto Rican Forum, United Neighborhood Houses,
the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the Audubon Partnership,
Project Reach Youth, the Armory Track and Field Foundation, MOUSE, the
Harlem Center for Education, Playing2Win, Community Access Inc., SOBRO,
and the Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Centers.
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