Buckner Technology Resource Center Purpose: The Purpose of the Buckner Technology Resource Center is to offer a comprehensive computer literacy and professional development program for children and families. The programs for children and families are focused on creatively teaching and equipping the students to understand how to utilize computer technologies and facilitate their successful interface with computers in the school and work community. The Technology Resource Center programs encourage children and adults to develop a proficiency in understanding the role that computer technology plays in the larger society. These programs include: • Adult Focused Programs • Training to utilize Microsoft Office • Professional Development (Formally job skills training) • Child Focused Programs • Skills Testing • Software tutorials Program History: During the summer of 1997 we used the lab to train both our own staff and the staff of MiEscuelita, a non-profit Bi-lingual pre-school in the use of the Windows 95, Word 97, Excel 97 and Publisher 97 software. We offered four different classes every Wednesday in our lab that helped to train 87 adults in the use of these software programs. During the summer of 1998 we included the staff of a local non-profit shelter for women and their children, in our computer software training classes. In addition to training adults, The Technology Resource Center was open to all of the children in our on-and-off-campus Summer Programs. The lab was open all day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to more than 125 different children per week during the summer of 1997 and it grew to over 200 children per week the summer of 1998. We also offered after-school programs throughout the school year for these on-and-off campus children. Since the beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, we have been using our Campus Technology Lab during our regular school hours for computer literacy and software training. The Technology Resource Center touches the lives of well over 150 children who attend Buckner Academy during the year. Some of the software programs used during the school classes are: The Office 97 Suite, Microsoft Creative Writer 2, and Mavis Beacon Typing to name a few. The children at our community after-school programs use the lab to practice their typing skills, further their computer literacy and software training, via the staffs assistance with homework, and of course to have some fun with the games and interactive educational software programs. Some of these programs are: Encarta '97 Encyclopedia, Bookshelf, The Magic School Bus series, Explorapedia, and CD-ROMs on animals, Nature, Bass Fishing and the World of Flight. During February 1998, we completed the first nine- week set of Professional Development courses taught in collaboration with Accenture (formally Andersen Consulting of Dallas). These courses assisted the eight clients who completed the classes in experiencing their full potential. Each student/client identified their career goals and then learned how to communicate, present, package, protect, preserve and promote their goal(s). One of the students, Hazel, stated at the conclusion of these classes her gratitude by saying, "Without the help of Buckner, I don't know what I would have done. Buckner helped me last summer with my children when I didn't know what to do with them while I was at work. My kid’s just love being and working with Mr. Alrich. And now Buckner and [Accenture] Andersen Consulting have helped me personally through the [Professional Development] Job Skills Training classes. Before coming to these classes I didn't like my job or the people that I worked with much. But now, I have a better appreciation for my job, and I get along better and even like the people I work with. Buckner and [Accenture] Andersen helped me to have a better attitude and outlook on life." Each of the students who completed all of the classes were not only certified and received certificates of completion of the Professional Development courses, but each of them also received personalized portfolios from Accenture, and Buckner gave to each of them a rebuilt 386 computer with monitor, printer and software. Various individuals and companies such as NationsBank and William M. Mercer, Inc., donated these computers and printers to Buckner. Current Program: During the 2001-2002 school year, we have implemented the Children’s Skills test at each community site. The children are tested on everything from their reading and math comprehension, to their knowledge of world events. The test results are shared with the parents, educators and Buckner staff in an effort to identify problem areas and to develop appropriate tutoring material in subjects in which the child may show a deficiency. With advancements in technology training, our program has now moved to Computer Based Training, termed as CBT. By offering our technology component via Computer Based Training, our students are now able to review various software packages at their own skill level. The tutorials work to increase proficiency by allowing the student to work interactively with the software program. Students receive training in the following packages: Access, Excel, Power point, Word 2000, and Outlook. All tutorial programs range from basic to advanced levels. Who We Serve: So, who are the clients of Buckner Children & Family Services’ Technology Resource Centers? Typically they are single parents, who are working in an attempt to support their children. Our ultimate goal is to assist these parents in obtaining good paying jobs in order to give them the time necessary to be the parent that their children need. In other words, Buckner’s ultimate goal for this program is to change the community, making the families within it better able and equipped to raise their children, one family at a time. A program that is holistic by nature, assisting our clients not just in technology, but also in services as well. For example, we have helped many of our clients with food, clothing, and rent assistance via the Buckner Crisis Relief Center. We have also helped by providing job leads and assistance with obtaining employment, food for the holidays, and referrals for medical services. Therefore, we are extremely thankful for the companies, and volunteers who have partnered with us in motivating our clients to not only visualize, but also experience their own personal potential first hand. As a result not only will the client benefit, but our hope prayer and goal is that the community we serve will become a better place to live is closer in view. Richard Harper Coordinator of Technology Training 5200 Buckner Blvd Dallas, Texas 75227 214-321-4501 rharper@buckner.org