RTPnet VISTA Projects

CTC VISTAs (Volunteers In Service To America) sponsored by RTPnet have made significant contributions to efforts to bridge North Carolina's digital/social/economic divide. Fees and expenses are about $4,500 for each VISTA, that is, about 75 membership fees fund one VISTA. VISTA projects have included tech support, training, and curriculum development for 6th graders and younger children.

Thanks to our members and donors for providing the funds that have allowed RTPnet to sponsor the following VISTA projects:

Martha Ann Moore (2001-4): Martha's project promoted community participation in the Birchwood Learning Center (BLC) in Durham. For the last two years, she was the only staff person at the Birchwood Learning Center. In partnership with John Avery Boys and Girls Club, she ran an after-school program at Birchwood.
Martha's outstanding community technology leadership was acknowledged by a 2003 Technology to Empower Communities Champion Award for Outstanding Community Technology Leaders. See the RTPnet news article for more information. In addition, Martha was a recipient of a 2004 Community Technology Award, presented at the 5th Annual RTPnet Conference.
Eugena Harrington (2001-2): Gena's project provided technical support for about 20 community technology centers in Orange, Durham, and Wake counties, and she helped some schools in the area. A message from one of Gena's clients included:

Gena the great: Thank you for sending Gena along. She has been brilliant! Got laptop fixed up with ethernet and modem. Has volunteered to set-up ten computers donated to our school. She is kind and tenacious. She found an ethernet that worked with the old Dell — she searched it out after looking at the machine, getting specs, researching Dell's site on internet.
She has GIVEN hours and great kindness and support. Gena is a generous genie, and a gem of genius!
Kimmora Mckinnie (2001-2): Kimmora's project was to provide technical support and training support to Eastern Wake Community Technology Center (EWCTC), located in the Riley Hill Family Life Center, Riley Hill, NC. Kimmora recruited adult students (ages 19 to 82), taught introductory computer courses, and trained community volunteers to teach the courses. She initiated an after-school program, with students recruited through the East Wake Middle School guidance department, and recruited community volunteers to assist her work with the middle school students.
Shirlene Rogers (2001-3): Shirl's project was to assist the president of the CTCNet board of directors (Erroll Reese, Durham, NC) with CTCNet program development and capacity building and to develop, for RTPnet, a database of Triangle area volunteers. Shirl's work for CTCNet included research, statistical analyses, reports, preparing speeches, and preparing PowerPoint slides for presentations on CTCNet, and in promoting CTCNet at several major conferences. The volunteer database Shirl developed paved the way for Tech LinkUp.
Ella Holden (2002-4): Ella's project provided technical support and training for the Riley Hill Community Technology Center. Ella taught classes for adults and worked with youth in the after-school program, continuing and expanding the programs started by Kimmora. She also expanded community involvement in the center. In addition, Ella developed a computer repair course.
Douglas Dumont (2002-3): Douglas' project was to develop an after-school program at Rogers Herr Middle School, in Durham, to be supported by Duke volunteers, and also to create a template for replicating the program in North Carolina and nationwide. The program Douglas developed is called CLICK. The curriculum, oriented toward 6th graders, can be downloaded free.
Douglas described CLICK at the RTPnet 2003 conference and at the CTCNet 2003 conference, as part of the session CTCs & Local Schools. Douglas also participated in the conference Share Fair, showing how to download CLICK's free lesson plans and teaching modules.
Chad Custer (2003-4): Chad's project was to work with Duke University and Rogers Herr Middle School to continue and expand the after-school computer training program for 6th graders (CLICK). Chad continued the program at Rogers Herr Middle School and extended the work to Lyon's Park Community Center. He designed a curriculum for its younger students. Several organizations across the nation are using CLICK materials.
Vahid Nourani (2004-5): Vahid's project was to monitor, coordinate, and promote the Tech LinkUp project and provide support for TechCoop projects. Vahid also provided extensive technology support for Triangle United Way's Teaming for Technology, as well as many local CTCs and other nonprofit organizations.
Vahid plans to serve a second year with Durham Literacy Center.
Damita Chambers (2004-5): Damita's project was to monitor, coordinate, and promote the Tech LinkUp project and provide support for TechCoop projects. Damita also coordinated the 6th Annual RTPnet Conference and Community Technology Awards. In the process, she strengthened collaborations among North Carolina nonprofit technology assistance providers. Damita has also coordinated activities of TechCoop and the Triangle 501 Tech Club. In addition, Damita has coordinated numerous activities and presentations for Triangle United Way, especially for Teaming for Technology.