January 2002

New York Program Gives Kids Computers to Take Home

When Elisabeth Stock started the non-profit organization Computers for Youth, based in New York City, she wanted to do a few things differently than other technology charities. For starters, her emphasis is on getting computers into kids' homes. Computer access in schools and libraries- while necessary- isn't sufficient, sheargues. The best way to close the digital divide is to give kids access to technology at school and at home.

She bases her approach on previous work experience. She spent a year at the White House, working for the Computers for Learning program where she helped distribute surplus computers to schools.

While a worthy effort, Stock notes that teachers were often barriers to technology learning. "They were afraid," says Stock. "We felt if we could get computers to kids, they wouldn't be afraid. We would get much more use out of the computers."

She also saw disadvantages in giving computers to isolated students in different neighborhoods. Often they have no one to network with, she says. Some of the computers never come out of the box. "The complaint is that it is too complicated," says Stock.

Which is why Computers for Youth gives computers to entire school communities, instead of giving them to a few individuals. The program sets up e-mail accounts for everyone in a school system. This way, students, teachers, and parents have a built-in network to email information and to share technical pointers.

In operation for almost three years, Computers for Youth has provided 750 computers to three New York City school communities. The most needy schools are selected for the program. In each case, more than 90 percent of students in the schools are receiving free or subsidized lunch. Computers for Youth has worked with schools in the Bronx, Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood, and in Brooklyn.

The program provides a day of training for students and parents. Parental involvement is required, notes Stock. Every family and teacher receives a computer and software. Equipment is donated from corporations, and must be Pentium speed or faster. Stock has been able to keep the costs contained to $850 per family. "That's for everything- the technology and the training." The day of training is conducted at the chosen school on a Saturday. There kids and parents actually work with the computer they will have at home, learning how to set up the system and connect it to a printer and other hardware. We walk them through "the basics. They practice sending and receiving email messages," she says. The emphasis is on inter-generational use. If the kids take to the technology first, that's fine. They will help train the adults. The program provides on-going training.

Recent data shows that 90 percent of students in the Computers for Youth program report using their home computers. That's significant, says Stock. Previous studies have shown that there is a great disparity in computer use between wealthy and poor school districts. Students who are part of the Computers for Youth program are using their systems at the same rate as other students in other economic groups across the country.

Students also report that computer and Internet use has changed their attitudes about school. They are neater, more organized, and more creative. One East Harlem teacher reports that the Computers for Youth program adds "a lot to the sense of community: the excitement, the 'did you see', the sense of connectedness."
www.cfy.org