Ethan Floyd - On The Move

Ethan Floyd

While it is obvious that Ethan enjoys computers, this well-rounded young man also enjoys video games and playing the saxaphone. Ethan attributes his expanded knowledge of computers and technology to CMG. Right now, at CMG, he is in the midst of being trained to train others.  Also he is a part of the CMG web development group who will help to create the organization’s new website. For Ethan, who describes himself as being “mellow”, the learning does not stop. He plans on dabbling into programming to broaden his horizons. This young man is certainly on the right path to accomplish the goals he has set for himself. Congratulations Ethan, we expect great things from you in the near future.

2010 Back-To-School Computer Campaign

	Students & volunteers assist loading computers during last computer giveaway.

Last week we launched our 2010 Back-To-School Computer campaign. Our goal is to provide 400 computers to low-income families. The program will be driven by donations from the public. Here’s how it works: For every $100 in donations that we receive, we will provide a computer to a low-income family. The families will be chosen from within our database of families that have taken advantage of our City HELPS Program. It’s a program funded in part by the City of Tampa whereby we provide Internet access at our facility for residents looking for jobs and applying for public assistance. We’re hoping to surprise those individuals and families that have indicated that they do not have a computer in their home.

While many believe that the ‘Digital Divide’ has been solved, statistics from our latest census indicate a different picture. The U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey reports that 31.3% of the 119 million families responding did NOT have a computer with internet access in their home. We believe that this creates a huge disadvantage for those families, especially for children, and makes it extremely difficult for them to compete in our technological society.
 
We feel that it is our responsibility to attempt solve at least a portion of the problem here in the Tampa Bay area. We will distribute the computers at our 5th Annual Technology Bowl on Oct. 23rd, 2010. The event will be held at the Brandon Campus of Hillsborough Community College and the public is encouraged to attend.

For more information please visit the CMG website http://www.computermentors.org/enewsletter/back-to-school-2010.html or call 813/236-1191

From The Director

Hello All,

I know it’s been a little while since our last newsletter but that doesn’t mean that we have not had news or have not been very busy. In fact, quite to the contrary. The summer has been incredibly busy and productive for the organization. Currently we have 20 instructor led classes running in 16 different locations. The majority of the classes are the Pre-A+ Certification classes for middle school students, but we also have Internet Safety classes running in six locations, serving approx. 120 students, and a Computer Mentors Kids class running at Mort Park.

The programs have put us in partnership with many other agencies this summer. They include Dr. Maxine Woodside and the East Tampa Partnership, the School District of Hillsborough County, Faulkenburg Academy, ACTS, Brandon Alternative Middle School, Kingdom Worship Center (Fowler Ave.), CI Kennedy Center (East Tampa), Mount Pleasant Standards Based Middle School (West Tampa), Mort Park NFL YET Center, Kings Kids (East Tampa), CDC of Tampa (East Tampa), Enable Nonprofits (6 locations around Tampa). It’s a huge list and special thanks has to be given to John Corsell, our Program Director, for coordinating all this, and the 11 training facilitators, of whom nine (9) are former students of our Youth Program.

I also want to remind everyone that the 2010 Technology Bowl is quickly approaching. The event will once again be held at the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College and this year will feature celebrity moderators for each round of the competition. If you are a celebrity or would like or would like to have your organization represented in the Tech Bowl, please contact via phone or email at (813) 236-1191 or RSmith@computermentors.org. We’ll have an excited crew of celebrities with compelling stories. Thus far they include Lissette Campos-Perez - anchor from Action10News, Michelle Robinson – Verizon Southeast Regional President, Bob McCann – VP Client Solutions Nielsen Company, Jane Castor – Tampa Police Chief, Jettie B Wilds - WTMP Radio personality, and a few surprise celebrities that will interest the crowd. We are really excited again this year to have the Hobbs Family Foundation support the event and provide $10,000 to be used for the prizes that the youth will compete for.  The headline sponsors for the event thus far are Suncoast For Kids Foundation (Suncoast School Federal Credit Union) and Nielsen Company. It all promises to be very exciting again.

Thank you and regards,

Email: rsmith@computermentors.org
Phone: (813) 236-1191