May 5, 2001

1
Starting and Running a Community Computer Center
or Computer Ministry

• Andrew Sears
• 5/5/01

2
Outline

• Define Computer Centers and Computer Ministries
• How to start a computer ministry
• How to start a computer center
• Examples and Ideas from PREP
• Resources to help you get started

3
Community Computer Centers

• Christian Community Computer Centers
• Defined as any ministry using computers as an
  outreach to serve the community
• There are over 1,000 community computer centers
  in the USA and it is likely that over 100 of
  these are Christian centers
• Range from ministries with less than 5 computers
  to ministries with over 50 computers
• Association of Christian Community Computer
  Centers helps support these ministries

4
Computer Ministries

• Computer Ministry
• Computer ministries are teams of volunteers or
  staff that support community computer centers
• Many churches can have Computer Ministries
  without having computer centers (good ratio is
  three computer ministries to one computer center)
• Establishing Computer Ministries within churches
  provides a great opportunity for teens and adults
  to volunteer
• Great partnership opportunity for suburban and
  urban churches
• Many people in suburban churches will get
  involved in outreach ministries in urban
  communities because of their interest in
  computers and provides great opportunity for
  racial reconciliation and transformation
• Classes provide good opportunity for volunteers
• Volunteers often need some structure and classes
  help provide that

5
Organizational Ideas

• Ministry Leader (either staff or very committed
  volunteer)
• Leadership team/planning committee
• Need highly committed people who see the vision
• Need strategic thinkers who will lead
• Instructors (if you are teaching classes)
• Need significant expertise in subject matter
• Primary responsibility for class falls on
  instructor
• Tech Professional in subject area who volunteers
  (or staff instructor)
• Assistants who have demonstrated their commitment
  and expertise
• Assistants/Mentors
• Only need basic knowledge of subject matter
• Many students can return following semester to
  assist and continue learning
• Serve as instructor in training for new
  volunteers and provides ability to try it out to
  determine commitment level
• Help reduce the student-teacher ratio (need at
  least 15)

6
Different Levels of Tech Programs

• Computer Ministry
• organize teams of volunteers to help existing
  computer centers
• Level 1 Computer Center
• Provide Tech Time in an after school or teen
  program
• Need 5-10 computers and Internet access (modem)
• Level 2 Computer Center
• Provide limited classes or teen business or job
  placement
• Teens volunteer and/or work as tech staff
• Need 10-15 computers and Internet access (DSL or
  Cable)
• Level 3 Computer Center
• Provide full Community computer center which may
  include walk-in access and advanced classes to
  local community and adults
• Need full-time tech program staff

7
Starting a Computer Ministry

• Pray and talk with your pastor about the
  possibility
• You can contact PREP/AC4 to provide initial
  assistance
• Make a low-key announcement in church, you are
  developing a planning committee for the ministry
• Meet with partners and planning committee to
  determine general scope of ministry
• Determine and plan details of ministry
• Details of program (classes, after school
  tutoring, etc.), dates, marketing plan, launch
  date and initial meeting/training date
• Make major announcement in church (get pastor to
  help sell it if possible) for the initial
  public meeting or training

8
Partnering with PREP/AC4

• PREP/AC4 can help by providing
• Consulting in setting up a computer ministry or
  center
• Training of volunteers
• Minimal tech support in setting up your center
• Churches and computer ministries can help by
• Making announcements in your church for computer
  donations and volunteers
• Forming a computer ministry in your church to
  volunteer at PREP or other Christian Computer
  Center

9
PREP How You Can Help(Sample Church
Announcement)

• Teach, assist or be a guest speaker with a class
  or take a class
• Provide Tech Support
• Attend Computer Ministry Training on Sat. January
  20 from 930-230 at Dorchester Temple
• Help serve lunch to students on Saturdays (small
  groups!)
• Provide a referral to our Web design business
• Donate a computer or get your company to donate
  their old computers

For more information sign up at table in back
after church or Contact Andrew Sears at
info_at_preptraining.org or 876-2981
10
Take or Help With A Class (Sample Church
Announcement)

• For those with Business Interests
• Entrepreneurship
• For those with Artistic Interests
• Graphics Design
• Video Production
• Digital Music Studio
• For those with Computer Interests
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Graphic Design
• Web Page Design
• Databases

11
Starting a Computer Center Things You Need

• People staff support/volunteers
• Technical support is a must
• Can get work-study students from colleges for
  tech support
• Understanding of community needs and ability to
  work with the community
• Plan that includes a program focus
• Space to house computers
• Look for space in churches and Christian
  non-profits
• Equipment computers, network, Internet
  connection, software
• Advertising/marketing (unless only serving
  existing programs)
• Money varies depending on your goals
• Expertise and knowledge of computer centers
• Gods support

Computer Ministry
Computer Center
12
Understanding Community Needs

• Primary Research
• Focus groups and surveys of community
• Often are hard to do right
• Secondary Research
• See what others are doing thats working well in
  communities similar to yours
• See what people are already doing in your
  community (some you may want to replicate and
  some you may try not to duplicate)
• Partnering
• Indigenous groups have close understanding of
  community needs
• Market Testing
• Market a range of services or classes and adjust
  program focus based on demand

13
Determining Program Focus

• What are unique strengths of your ministry?
• See Things You Need slide
• What level and types of expertise and resources
  do you have?
• What strengths can you develop through
  partnerships?
• Urban/suburban partnerships
• What are the needs of the local community and
  those you are already serving?

14
What Makes Christian Community Computer Centers
Unique?

• Relationships
• Churches can provide an enormous pool of
  volunteers that are unavailable to other centers
• Churches are inherently relational
• Missions Mentality
• Can be good altruistically serving others is a
  result of faith, many Christians will do for free
  what many others would do only if paid
• Can be bad some people may think they have all
  the solutions and that they dont need to learn
  from the community they are serving
• Spiritual Development
• Making a living and a life
• Are equipped to serve the whole individual

15
To start your ministry, pick one or two areas to
focus on
Community Computer Centers
16
PREPs Student Development Plan
Program Areas
Goals
Student Advancement
17
Walk-In Center

• Anyone can come in off the street and use our
  computers for free (30 visits per day from youth
  and adults)
• Attractive to teens that would not go to after
  school programs and provides a safe, educational
  environment
• Internet access and music mixing very popular
  (software HipHop eJay) and we have them write
  their own CDs
• Adults use center for the Internet and to work on
  resumes, other personal projects and to learn
• Provides good learning activity for youth staff
• Youth supervise computer room, answer any
  questions and will help get computers working
• There is always an adult in our building (church)
  although youth staff may be in computer room alone

18
Computer Classes

• Two hour classes meeting once per week and mostly
  on Saturdays
• Great opportunity for volunteers to get involved
• Limited relational time, but it gets people in
  the door to start relationships
• Weve found youth want the advanced and media
  classes while adults want the basic classes more
• Mentoring at end of class provides opportunity to
  deepen relationship
• Students returning to assist with a class is key!

19
Ideas for Classes

• Make a major effort initially to let the
  community know
• This is needed to have many applicants at start
  of semester
• We handed out 3,000 flyers table-tents on
  street, in schools, stores restaurants
• Got mailing list of our community from Bostons
  Voter Registration Records and mailed to 10,000
  residents
• Meals between classes can provide opportunities
  for relationship building
• Project based classes work well, especially with
  youth
• Teens and adults can work in same classes, but
  adults taking classes with younger children does
  not work
• See list of classes elsewhere

20
Teen Program PREP Enterprises, Youth Staff and
Volunteers

• Youth Volunteers Duties
• Assist with classes
• Youth Staff Duties
• Supervise walk-in center and fix computers
• Assist with classes
• Work in PREP Enterprises
• Learn on the job and through self study
• Discipleship all youth staff have regular time
  of discipleship and leadership training

21
Volunteer Training

• Happens each semester and is required for
  volunteers
• Three parts of training
• Program Overview and Vision Setting
• Explain what we do, and the motivation to build
  vision
• Details of program and expectations of
  volunteers
• Train the Trainer
• Provides basics needed for teaching
• Cross-Cultural Ministry Training
• Required each semester for all volunteers
• PREP/AC4 can provide volunteer training for other
  ministries

22
Getting Equipment Software

• Make announcements in churches that you are
  looking for computer donations from individuals
  and companies
• relational method works best
• Suburban churches may have many people in
  companies with computers to donate
• Specify minimum requirements and types of
  computers
• Get 20 new Gateway computers by joining PowerUP
  (see grants section)
• PREP may occasionally get an excess of used
  computers that could be available

23
Getting Equipment Softwarethrough
Gifts-in-Kind Compumentor

• Register with Gifts in Kind International
  (www.giftsinkind.com)
• Cost 125 and must be Non profit 501(c)(3) and
  use software for service to community
• Cost 225 for 5 used computers 486 above
  laptops/desktops
• Network hubs for 50
• Get copies of most major software for 30
  (Windows, Office 2000, Adobe products, etc)
• Provide great discounts (90 off) on office
  products, projectors, clothes, etc.
• Use Compumentor for software discounts
  (www.compumentor.com)
• Most major software for only 30 and no
  registration fee

24
Getting Grants

• PowerUP (www.powerup.org)
• Get 20 new gateway computers with software
• Get 20-40k in funding over 3 years
• Looking to partner with faith-based groups with
  after-school teen programs (awarding thousands
  of grants targeting youth)
• Deadline August 15, 2001
• Requires that you have 2 full-time staff that can
  help with lab (but do not have to spend all their
  time on the lab)
• Application at www.powerup.org/program_applicatio
  n.pdf

25
Getting Grants

• CTCNET AmeriCorps/VISTA Grant
• Provides full time staff positions for a year for
  2,000
• To apply must first pay 100 to join CTCNet
  (www.ctcnet.org)
• Have some restrictions on these staff leading
  religious services during paid time, but one of
  the most open govt programs toward faith-based
  groups, and you select the staff
• Should open application process around Feb, 2001
• Contact Peter Miller of CTCNet at peterm_at_igc.org
  or 617.287.7371 or visit www.cpcs.umb.edu/newvista
  /
• Get list of technology grants
• Directory of Computer and High Technology Grants
  (53) from Research Grant Guides, Inc. (order on
  Amazon.com)
• HUD Neighborhood Networks Initiative will fund
  centers in housing projects (which Christian
  groups could run)

26
Issues to Consider

• Computer ministry should be relational ministry
• Its not about the technology, its about the
  people.
• Center needs to be in an organization that is
  indigenous to community being served and raise up
  indigenous leaders
• Web filtering software on all computers (see
  appendix for list of filtering software)
• Some software programs do not filter Web based
  E-mail (i.e. Hotmail)
• We do not allow chat or non-educational games
• Security is a major issue
• BWM has an alarm system and motion detectors and
  are installing a panic button for lab monitors
  and video entry cameras
• Software licensing is an issue

27
For More Information

• Visit Association of Christian Community Computer
  Centers Web site and join E-mail list
• Get information on grants, hardware donations,
  share ideas, etc
• Join for free now, but may have a fee to join in
  future
• Visit www.acccc.org or www.preptraining.org
• E-mail info_at_acccc.org
• Call Andrew Sears at 617-876-2981
• Join Community Technology Centers Network
  (www.ctcnet.org), get on E-mail list and go to
  national conference each June
• Best information resource available
• Provides Community Technology Center start up
  manual
• Visit HUDs Neighborhood Networks at
  www.hud.gov/nnw/nnwindex.html

28
Joining ACCCC

• Join for free now, but may have a fee in the
  future
• Benefits
• Keep informed of events of interest to Community
  Computer Centers, Grants, Computer Donations
• Share program information
• Participate in future joint programs
• Sign up on survey or send E-mail to info_at_acccc.org

29
Appendix
30
Digital Divide Across Race/Income
31
PREP Mission

• To serve those in urban centers by providing
  community computer access and education needed
  for employment, spiritual development and to
  equip the Christian community to do the same.

32
PREP Enterprises

• PREP Enterprises is youth-run, web design
  business
• Employ six high school youth
• Develop web sites for businesses and non-profits
• For hire for your Web site at www.prepenterprises
  .net
• Other Good tech businesses for youth
• T-Shirts sell to college groups and non-profits
• Graphics Design
• Video Production do weddings and other events
• Computer Refurbishing and tech support

33
Software Available

• Encyclopedia Africana
• Hip Hop eJay (music mixing)
• Essence Virtual Makeover
• Jumpstart Software
• Visual Basic 6.0 (programming)
• Photoshop 5.5 (graphics editing)
• Illustrator 8.0 (computer art)
• Access 97 2000 (database)
• PowerPoint 97 2000 (Presentations)
• Publisher 97 2000 (desktop publishing)

• Outlook 97 2000 (E-mail scheduling)
• FrontPage 2000 (web page editor)
• Windows 95 98
• Internet Explorer (web)
• Microsoft Word 97 2000 (word processing)
• Microsoft Excel 97 2000 (spreadsheets)
• WS_FTP (FTP)
• English Pro (ESL)

34
CD/Book Tutorials Available

• A Certification
• Java
• Visual Basic 6.0
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Computer Repair/Maintenance
• Access (database)
• PowerPoint
• Publisher

• Outlook
• FrontPage
• HTML
• Windows 98
• Internet Explorer
• Office 2000
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Certification

35
Goals for Volunteers

• Enable professionals and students from various
  fields to use their skills to serve and find more
  balance and meaning in what they do
• Develop individuals who volunteer in the program
  by assisting their growth in computer skills,
  teaching skills, leadership skills and spiritual
  growth
• Create a community of people to assist each other
  in finding balance, healing, their callings and
  God
• Assist racial reconciliation by partnering with
  suburban and urban churches of different cultures
  races

36
Mentoring/One-to-One Training

• Provides more extensive learning through
  one-to-one training
• Related to classes taken (i.e. write resume,
  develop web pages, etc.)
• Must complete regular semester classes
• One absence allowed
• Can make up material

37
Student Responsibilities

• Prompt attendance
• Instructors will start the class on time and will
  not help late students catch up
• Students may be dropped after missing two classes

38
Student Responsibilities

• Complete Homework
• Practice what you learned
• Open lab hours available
• Additional assignments to meet course
  prerequisites (i.e. typing, Intro to Computers)
• Bring in homework or have lab monitor sign sheet
  that it was completed

39
Student Responsibilities

• Class Payment
• 10/class with a maximum of 20
• Due on first day of class
• Free for youth under 21 and the unemployed
• must show proof of unemployment
• Assist in future classes
• Helps us
• You continue learning

40
Ways to Help

• Assist with a class
• Be an Instructor for a class
• Join Tech Support Team
• Provide technical support, fixing setting up
  computers, installing hardware, while training
  others
• Join Hospitality Team
• Help with lunches, parties, appearance of lab and
  parties to make PREP a welcoming, relational
  place
• Join with Construction Renovations Team
• Help with administration
• Serve on Leadership Team
• Help plan and run PREP overall

41
Volunteer Development
Spiritual Development
Skill/Leadership Development
Career Development
Joining PREP Ministry
Church Attendance
Taking a Class (as needed)
Small Group in Church
Certifications
Assisting with a class
PREP Volunteer Community
Teaching a class
Career Advancement
PREP Leadership Team
Racial Reconciliation
Career Changes
SHAPE Vocational Considerations
Part/Full Time Staff/ Starting Another Program
Living Waters/ Personal Healing
42
Responsibilities for Instructors

• Responsible for all aspects of teaching and
  running a class including preparing most of the
  lessons.
• Responsible for setting schedule of which
  assistants and other instructors will attend and
  teach when
• Responsible for being at class at least 15-30
  minutes before start each week
• Provides time to set up for class and deal with
  unexpected traffic (i.e. I-93)
• If you must miss a class, instructors arrange for
  for another instructor or assistant to cover for
  them.
• This is important to provide a consistent person
  who relates to the students. Because of this we
  ask that instructors dont miss more than a
  maximum two classes.
• Responsible for fostering community among
  assistants and with students
• They should call students who have missed classes
  at mid-semester to see if they will stay in class
• Attend PREP Computer Ministry Meetings
• Help on a support team if interested

43
Responsibilities for Assistants

• The primary activity of assistants is to help
  answer students questions as they are working
  through the class material and projects.
• Assistants may prepare or assist in preparing
  some lessons as well as teaching lessons
• Assistants do not have to attend every class, but
  should work out a schedule with the instructor
  when they agree to be available.
• The goal is if at all possible that at least one
  or two assistants will be available each week.
• Should be available for class at least 10 minutes
  before class
• Attend PREP Computer Ministry Meetings.
• Assist Instructor with any duties as needed
• Assistants can help with follow-up with the
  students and their parents. They are also
  encouraged to develop relationships with the
  youth.
• Help on a support team if interested

44
Web Site Filtering Software

• CleanWeb (www.cleanweb.net)
• CyberPatrol (www.microsys.com)
• Cybersitter (www.solidoak.com)
• CyberSnoop (www.pearlsw.com)
• Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com)
• Net Shepherd (www.netshepherd.com)
• Safesurf (www.safesurf.com)
• Watchdog (www.sarna.com)
• We Blocker (free at www.we-blocker.com)
• X-Stop (www.xstop.com)

45
Setting Up A Network Internet Connection Sharing

• Need the following
• Computers with one Ethernet card in each
• Ethernet cabling between computers and Ethernet
  hub (called RJ-45 cable)
• Computer to serve as firewall to connect to
  network (with either 2 Ethernet cards or one
  Ethernet card and one modem)
• Proxy or Firewall Software
• An easy setup version comes with Windows
  Millennium Edition as Internet connection sharing
• A good inexpensive package is Comsocks
  (www.linkbyte.com)
• Ethernet Hub
• Get 24 port hub from Gifts in Kind for 50
• Get 16 port hub from www.warehouse.com/datacom/
  for about 200
• Get from local computer stores

46
Internet Connection Sharing
Cable or DSL Modem
Ethernet Cable
Either/Or
Ethernet Cable
Ethernet Cables
Regular Modem
47
Internet Connection Sharing (Configuration)

• Do not need to do this if using Microsoft
  Internet Connection Sharing
• Under TCP/IP Configuration
• Server on card connecting to clients
• IP Address 10.0.0.10
• Gateway get from network provider
• DNS get from network provider
• Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
• Other Card/Modem get config from network
  provider
• Client Machines
• IP Address 10.0.0.Anything from 0 to 255 but
  must be unique
• Gateway 10.0.0.10
• DNS 10.0.0.10
• Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
• Configure Options in Browser to Use Proxy at
  10.0.0.10
• Call proxy/firewall software provider for help