Net Literacy Program

Net Literacy is a 501(c) (3) corporation that recognizes that Americans of all ages must be computer and Internet literate to prosper and thrive in the 21st century. Net Literacy is the overall organization that promotes computer and Internet literacy to our youth and seniors alike, to families that are unable to afford to purchase a computer for their elementary school children and for families that are unable to afford to purchase a computer and live in publicly subsidized housing.

History

Internet illiteracy is expensive! It diminishes the quality of people’s lives, reduces their competitiveness and life-options, and closes them off from a world of information, entertainment, and communications. And while Indiana trails some other states in Internet penetration and Internet literacy, a student-powered organization seeks to remedy those issues by helping to bridge the digital divide in some very creative ways. Net Literacy, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded by a middle school student who was volunteering at a public library to teach computer and Internet skills to senior citizens and elementary school youngsters. After one of the classes, a senior citizen told the student that while he enjoyed the program, it was too bad that some of his wheelchair-bound neighbors could not leave their facility and learn how to send emails. Several local organizations and national agencies were contacted to identify a program that would enable this student to go inside independent and assisted living facilities, build public computer labs, and teach mobility-impaired residents computer and Internet skills, but without success. Once this gap in the nation’s social coverage was identified, a community ascertainment was conducted that indicated senior facilities had a high degree of interest about educating residents; but none of them had the funds to establish a public computer lab within their own facilities. Armed with this research and loaded with entrepreneurial talents, the young lad began a quest that led to the formation of a very successful and growing not-for profit enterprise today known as the “Net Literacy Corporation” (www.netliteracy.org). The fledgling business became involved in computer donation drives, building computer labs inside independent living facilities, teaching senior citizens computer and Internet skills, and disposing of unusable computers in an EPA compliant manner. In late 2004, the scope of the organization was increased to also include underserved and computer illiterate youths and families. To date, over 400 students from schools in the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne metropolitan areas have volunteered to repurpose computers or teach in their communities and provide extensive one-on-one training for those who were formerly on the wrong side of the digital divide. Since 2005, Net Literacy has collaborated with The Techpoint Foundation to promote youth philanthropy and community service, increase computer access and literacy throughout Indiana, and educate youth and adults about Internet safety.

The mission of Net Literacy is to empower youth to increase computer availability and Internet literacy focusing on underserved youth, families, and seniors citizens. It is a student-empowered nonprofit organization that has to date provided enhanced computer access to dwellings or community centers serving over 60,000 individuals in three states. The students have their own operating board of directors to plan strategy, develop operational plans, write grant proposals, and organize their training efforts. The group also has some adult assistance: Net Literacy’s honorary co-chairpersons are Senator Evan Bayh and Senator Richard Lugar. Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of the Indiana Department of Education, also serves on the honorary board. The students are assisted by a small volunteer adult member board to sign and authorize contracts. In 2005, the student-volunteers lobbied members of the Indiana General Assembly, resulting in the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 85, honoring the “Indiana Net Literacy” Program. Net Literacy was also recognized with presentations from former President Clinton to Secretary of State Powell, and from former Senator Dole to President Bush in a White House ceremony. In 2006, Net Literacy received the Mother Teresa Kindness Award from the National Caring Institute and was recognized as the “Citizen of the Year” by the Topics and several other Gannett newspapers.

Net Literacy has been endorsed by or partnered with over 200 organizations, including The Techpoint Foundation, the Indiana Recycling Coalition, the US Internet Industry Association, the AARP, the Urban League, the Indiana Association of Student Councils, Purdue University, The Verizon Foundation, Lilly Endowment, the United Way, Bright House Networks, the Corporation for Education Technology, the Indiana Department of Education, and numerous school districts.

Net Literacy has worked hard to create public awareness about the digital divide and the Internet safety problem. In addition to the local press, People Magazine, The New York Times, The AARP Magazine, USA Today, and US News & World Report have written articles about Net Literacy. In addition to the local media, Net Literacy has appeared nationally on ABC TV, Retirement Living TV, eTown, and NPR.

Senior Connects

1. Builds computer labs inside independent and assisted living facilities
2. Teaches Seniors how to use the computer and access the Internet
3. Provided access in 70 facilities to 11,000 residents

Safe Connects

1. Net Predators
2. Adult Category Content
3. Net Safety
4. Netiquette

Computer Connects

On all donated computers (unless otherwise requested), the hard drive is securely wiped by DBAN. On most computers that are refurbished by Computer Connects, a slipstreamed version of Windows 2000 w/ Works 7 is installed.

Student volunteers dispose of unusable computers in an EPA compliant manner, preventing computers and monitors from being delivered to landfills. This is especially important considering that the monitors that are buried in landfills have toxins that could potentially affect the quality of life of succeeding generations of Hoosiers. In 2006, high schools began establishing their own Computer Connects programs, repurposing computers to families on public assistance that could not otherwise afford to purchase a computer for their children to complete their homework at home. For additional information, visit www.computerconnects.org

Community Connects

EPA Compliant Computer Recycling

Self Evaluation Checklist

1. Why do you want to get involved? There several reasons why a student might be interested participating in a Net Literacy program, such as adopting an Independent Care Facility or providing computers to under-served public apartment housing (such as HUD or Section 8 Housing). Here are some reasons that others have decided to become involved:
   • Make a difference and feeling great - making a difference in your community feels terrific! It’s an experience like nothing else!
   • Work on a program with some of your best friends - since this is a program where the students have a substantial amount of control, you can choose to work alone - or together with a few of your friends, and divide up the responsibilities.
   • 
     Net Literacy raised $10,000 for Save The Youth, together with Asset Forwarding, N|Frame, and the TechPoint Foundation. This enabled Save The Youth, a nonprofit that provides hot meals and computer labs to inner city youths to expand their existing computer facilities.
     Satisfy the service requirements of another program that you may be involved in. To earn the Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts must accomplish a service project. The National Honor Society at each school sponsors an annual service project. The YMCA, and many other social organizations and churches also encourage members to become involved in a community outreach project.
   • Helping at a Independent Care Facility or under-served apartment building where a friend or relative lives. Just to help others - spending time to help residents be able to reach out to their friends and family via email, have an opportunity to learn from the many educational programs available online, or become better connected to our world by surfing the Net.

     This is especially important to senior citizens that don't have reliable transportation or are not quite as mobile as they once were. You can free them from the confines of a diet of television and newspapers! Under-served apartment complexes often have families that can't afford to purchase a computer for their children to do homework. By helping these facilities, you can touch the lives of hundreds of youths.

   • Help yourself. For those individuals participating in a Net Literacy program (such as adopting an Independent Care Facility or working to build public computer labs in under-served public apartment complexes) for three or more months and have an email or letter indicating satisfactory completion by the facility that you helped – we’ll send a letter to the facility that you adopted so that it can be presented to you. For other awards and recognitions click here or visit the Awards and Recognition section on this site).
2. Can you do the time? This step is one of the most important of them all. You must ask yourself if you are able to make the commitment to devote the time necessary to make a contribution at the facility that you "adopt." This should be at least three months, and making yourself available to spend six to nine months is even better because you will get know the staff, residents, and be able to provide follow up training. A commitment also means being able to commit to spending 2-3 hours per week either after school or during the weekend to help the residents at the facility that you adopt.

   TIPS: If you are uncertain about the amount of time you can commit, consider discussing this with a parent or another adult leader. Knowing yourself and why you want to help may enable you to prioritize your other activities. Most significantly, if there is a possibility that something could interrupt your commitment, be upfront with the Independent Care Facility manager. A relationship where there are "no surprises" works best for everyone. If you have questions about some of the specifics, email us at support@netliteracy.org.

3. Do you have the skills necessary to become involved? Most college students, high school students and some junior high school students have the maturity, knowledge, and teaching skills to be able to make this type of a commitment. These will be skills that will be important throughout your life. Since we are "kids," senior citizens often will be patient and return the respect we give them. So, being perfect is not a prerequisite - but knowing yourself well enough is an important step to making this program - and your life - a success.
   • Maturity - this means being able to be responsible and work fairly independently. If you agree to offer classes on Saturdays at 10:00 - you have to be there. If you arrive late or cancel a class, you will be impacting others that are counting on you for help. No one will be looking over your shoulder to make sure that you're prepared to teach a class or bring your class materials. It's all up to do. This isn't for everyone - but if it's for you - there's nothing else like it! If you tell a property manager in an under-served apartment complex that you will have computers ready to be installed in a public area by a certain date, you need to come through.
   • Knowledge - while you should be somewhat computer knowledgeable and Net savvy, the training programs are fairly straight forward to make your teaching (and the senior citizen's learning experience) a positive one. Unless you are self-taught, it's probably best that you have taken a computer applications course at school. If you have any questions about any of the lesson plans, you can email Net Literacy for suggestions or recommendations about how to approach more difficult situations.
   • Teaching skills - this involves practicing (or being very familiar with) each lesson before you teach a class when you’re teaching a class. A little advance preparation should take care of this. It also means being patient and appreciating that what you are teaching may be difficult for some senior citizens to quickly grasp. This may require lots of patience at time, and a smile or nod of your head for encouragement. Some seniors are pretty nervous that they "won't catch on" - and may be much more nervous that you are about these classes. This aspect is more important when working on the Senior Connects program.
   • TIPS: If you have questions, a parent or another adult leader may help you assess your skills and talk together with you about this program. Also, you can email any questions about some of these esoteric issues that you have to support@netliteracy.org. Someone that has taught this program will get back to you, respond to your questions, and help you sort things out. While this type of online assistance is available through the Net Literacy and Senior Connects website, this program is different than many other volunteer opportunities available in your community - it requires individuals that are comfortable working more independently and with less adult support than other volunteer programs. If this program is not quite right for your strengths and skill sets - there are many other good causes in your community that you should check out!
4. What are the most important qualities that a participant must have? That's an easy one - it's a desire to make a difference in your community and to help others. If you possess this, everything else is pretty easy.

Volunteers' Commitment

• I promise that I will do my best to help others.
• I will be patient and strive to make sure each senior or individual that I'm working with is able to learn at a rate of study that makes them comfortable.
• I respect anyone that strives to improve themselves - and hope that my own quest for knowledge and learning will not diminish when I'm in my 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.
• I will never accept any direct or indirect compensation for any assistance that I provide.
• I will be courteous and professional - and promise to act in such a manner that reflects positively on the independent or assisted living facility or other complex that has opened their facility.
• I will always exercise excellent judgment and keep my contact person at the facility, my parents (or guardian), and mentor (if applicable) aware of the progress made during the classes - and promptly discuss any problems, potential problems, or anything that I'm uncomfortable, with them. I will follow all guidelines and make certain that I follow all rules, laws, licensing agreements, use good judgment, and will always be safe.
• If I am 17 years of age or younger, I will make certain that my parents or a trusted adult is aware of my volunteering service. If there is ever a situation where I feel uncomfortable, I will immediately discuss this with my parents.

WHEN YOU'RE A YOUTH-MANAGED CORPORATION OF MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WE JUST HAVE NO INTEREST IN GETTING INVOLVED IN ANY LITIGATION OR DISPUTE RESOLUTION OF ANY SORT. LIFE IS JUST TOO SHORT FOR THAT - SO IF YOU CAN'T BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIVE WITH THIS - THEN NET LITERACY PROGRAMS ARE PROBABLY NOT THE BEST THING FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN. SORRY, SORRY FOR THE TOUGH WORDS.