Net Literacy is a student-managed nonprofit that promotes youth philanthropy through a series of community outreach programs. The company's mission is to increase computer access by creating public computer labs, teach computer and Internet skills, and educate youth and parents about Internet safety.

Net Literacy is comprised of an equal number of youth and adult board members. US Senators Lugar and Bayh serve as our honorary Co-Chairs. Over 400 students have served as volunteers. We are a student managed nonprofit that has a mission statement, a brand identity, policies and procedures, a volunteers handbook, training materials, and outcome objectives. Net Literacy is comprised of four distinctive programs.

Senior Connects began in 2003 in Indianapolis. It's a program where students teach senior citizens computer skills on a one-to-one basis. Through this program, while the digital divide is being crossing by seniors, the intergenerational divide is being crossed by student-volunteers. In 2004, the program was deployed in Hamilton County and in 2005, throughout central Indiana. The City of Fort Wayne launched the Senior Connects and Computer Connects programs in late 2005. In fact, Mayor Richard wrote a feature article in Broadband Properties magazine about Fort Wayne's Senior Connects initiative. The Senior Connects' programming materials are comprehensive and online. They include training manuals, lesson plans, FAQs, and procedures – it's a turnkey program that can be easily established in any community.

At Computer Connects, student volunteer conducted computer drives, have repurposed thousands of computers, disposed of computers in an EPA compliant manner, and distributed computers to nonprofits so they could establish their own public computer labs.

Community Connects' objective is to provide computers to create public computer labs inside-low income apartments, community centers, and other nonprofits. We are especially proud of our work with Save The Youth, an anti-gang youth center located in Indianapolis' inner city. In 2005, the Techpoint Foundation and two other companies raised $15,000 for a building expansion which included a 24-station computer lab. In 2006, we donated 27 additional computers for a second community center under construction by Save The Youth. Community Connects increases computer access where the digital divide is the greatest.

Safe Connects teaches K-12 students and their parents about Internet safety in four age- appropriate modules. This program is powerful because it was developed by students and is taught by students. We have received funding for its development by the United Way and Lilly Endowment. It is presented at schools to both students and their parents, together. Because Internet safety is a family decision and requires respectful follow-up discussions, we provide collateral materials so families can discuss various Internet safety issues together, after the program. Our website provides additional resources for teachers, students, and parents.

Since 2003 when Net Literacy was established, much has been accomplished. The company is youth-empowered, which means that students design the programs, write the grants, and make presentations to grantors. We've even lobbied the Indiana General Assembly to pass the Net Literacy Bill. Net Literacy has provided or expanded computer access to over 60,000 individuals in three states (Indiana, Wyoming, and Illinois), raised $250,000 in scholarship money from Purdue University to award to inner city youths, and $500,000 in cash and in-kind services. Also, we have successfully partnered with other nonprofits and organizations…

We have the endorsement or sponsorship of almost 200 companies and organizations - and that creates real synergy.

Lastly, Net Literacy has worked hard to create awareness about the digital divide and Internet safety. We have been fortunate to have received awards and recognition from Former Senator Dole to Former Secretary Powell, and from former President Clinton to President Bush in a White House ceremony. From Indianapolis to Fort Wayne, many cities and towns have supported our computer drives and programs and councils have passed proclamations endorsing our mission. The media has also been kind by increasing awareness and covering our programs. Locally, we have fortunate to be covered by the press which includes a front page article in the Indianapolis Star, local radio, and on local television. Nationally, our program has been covered by broadcast television, cable television, magazines, and newspapers. The national and local media has also been kind by increasing public awareness of our mission. Last month, Fox TV, ABC TV, US News & World Report, and NPR carried stories about Net Literacy.

In conclusion, Net Literacy is a scalable and replicable program. It increases computer access, computer and Internet literacy, and Internet safety. Our programs are accessible via the Internet. These benefits are good public policy – they enable a community to avail itself of the benefits of broadband. They reduce the digital divide, encourage youth-oriented community service, provide a foundation to facilitate job growth, and enrich the lives of the underserved. A program that profoundly impacts the digital divide requires “an agent of change,” and we are fortunate that individuals with leadership and vision, such as US Senators Lugar and Bayh, and Superintendent of the Indiana Department of Education Suellen Reed, has joined our honorary board.