Visit Development Area
Visit Community Area
Visit Dee's Place Area
Visit YO Center Area
Visit Domestic Violence Prevention Area
Visit Employment Area
Visit Economic Area
Visit About HEBCAC Area
Visit Board of Directors Area
Visit Contact Information Area

The East Baltimore Technology Resource Center grew out of the program, Community and Senior Cyber Net (CSCN), which began operations in June 1999 under the sponsorship of Towson University.  The first phase of the program was the implementation of the Home Program where computers were placed in seniors’ homes.  Expansion to support the refurbishment of computers and information technology training programs of Phoenix Project occurred in late 2000.  Initiation of the placement of computer labs in Community Sites and the Housing Authority of Baltimore Senior High Rises started in the fall of 2001.  In June 2003, Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute became CSCN’s sponsor.  The East Baltimore Technology Resource Center (EBTRC) at East Preston and North Wolfe Streets was opened in March 2004, and effective July 2006, HEBCAC has taken over the operations of the program

As of July 1, 2005, the strategy for EBTRC has been for the operation to become a learning center.  Emphasis has been on developing and implementing training programs that offer increased employment opportunities for its clients. 
A partnership was established with the Maryland Center for Arts and Technology.  Together both organizations worked to train people to be successfully employed.

For this twelve-month period, an estimated 2,064 persons in Baltimore City spent 117,687 hours receiving services from the programs described below.  A cadre of 493 volunteers donated 52,323 hours of their time supporting the programs.

Home Program  (placement of computers in seniors’ homes)

Since July 1, fourteen computers have been installed in seniors’ homes. There are nine participant prospects ready to be trained.  There is a shortage of Mentors/Trainers.  A search for volunteer Mentors/Trainers to go into the homes to train these applicants is being conducted.  Baltimore City Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Volunteer Central have been active in this recruitment as well.  Rev. Willie Armstrong has trained seniors at Eastern United Methodist Church. 

These seniors received computers in their homes after they were qualified. 

After July 1, 2006, the program will be completely sustained by dedicated volunteers who will identify the participants, install and maintain the computers and mentor the participants. 

In total, installations have been completed in 114 participant homes since the program was initiated in April of 2000.  Currently, there are 55 active participants.  There are 30 in the city and 25 in the county.  Of the 30 in the city, 26 receive ISP scholarships.  In the County 9 participants receive ISP scholarships.  The 55 participants spend an average of 3,575 hours a month (about 2 hours per day per person) using their computers.     

Community Sites (placement of computer labs in neighborhoods)

Since July 1, 39 maintenance calls have been performed on 19 community center computer labs.  Computer lab overhauls that include computer upgrades and replacement of other equipment have been completed on 9 community sites for a total of 48 calls on 28 sites.

Seven additional computer labs were installed at sites since 1 July.  Two are in East Baltimore.  Since October 2001, a total of 70 community labs have been installed in neighborhood sites in Baltimore City.  Fifty-five are currently in operation. On the average, 1,195 people spend 3,676 hours a month using the computers. Nineteen of the 70 sites are located in East Baltimore.After July 1, 2006, this program will be sustained by Devnix Data Management Corp. who will offer maintenance agreements to the current sites and installation contracts for new sites.

High Rise Sites (placement of computer labs in senior high-rises)

Since July 1, 8 maintenance calls have been performed on 6 senior high-rise computer labs for the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC).  One computer lab overhaul that included computer upgrades and replacement of equipment was completed this period.  Beginning December 31, 2005, maintenance and upgrades have been completed by a contractor hired by the Housing Authority.
Since April 2002, a total of 18 labs have been installed in high rises in Baltimore City.  Sixteen are currently in operation.  On the average 90 people spend 1,890 hours a month using the computers.  Three of these sites are located in East Baltimore.

Learning Operations (computer refurbishing and technology training)

The East Baltimore Technology Center not only serves as a learning center, but also provides a non-threatening and safe environment where children, parents and other family members of East Baltimore can come to learn all facets of computer hardware and software.

            Effective July 1, 2005, EBTRC was no longer supported by the Phoenix Program.   This support was provided primarily to assist the first year start-up of EBTRC operations. All Vistas are assigned to the EBTRC center.  Strategically, the center is moving away from the main effort of computer refurbishing and distribution.  These efforts will always be fundamental training programs as the center develops more comprehensive programs becoming an eclectic technology learning center.   Towanda Boston was appointed Director of Learning Operations. Also a diverse new group of Vista technicians and trainers was recruited and placed at EBTRC to support this effort.

Previous training courses at EBTRC focused on offering to a large number of clients, short focused instruction.  In line with the new strategy, in depth technology courses are being developed and offered to individuals to support their employment goals.  The curriculum for the course in refurbishment has been expanded to include improving the software skills of the student.  The Intro to Work course was modified to allow for more practical time for learning.  The main objective of the course is to find graduates employment.  With Rev. Willie Armstrong, a Vista Member, as the instructor, greater results have been achieved.
 
Three new courses were added.  In July and August for 8 weeks, the Student Summer Learning Course which provides for increasing proficiency in software program, the internet and hardware knowledge, was offered to 20 youth in the ninth and tenth grades at Lake Clifton High School.  Free breakfasts and lunches were provided to the students.  A pilot Learning Center Course was developed and is now offered to people needing software program skill enhancement.  The course is taught by a Vista and is conducted on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  This course offers flexibility to learn on a “need” basis.  EBTRC entered into an agreement with the Stadium School to conduct a mini-course in refurbishment and software skill development as part of the school’s curriculum.  The courses which began in September were held in afternoon sessions of six weeks duration with an average attendance of 8 students.  One session has been completed.A pilot Intro to Work course has been modified and will be offered to graduating high school seniors to prepare them for the workplace.  An eight-week session will begin in September 2006, and will be offered to 9 area high school students per session.

Looking to the future, EBTRC will offer these courses to diverse groups of clients. Other courses in adult and youth education will be developed as the need of community dictates.

Considering the change in strategic direction, EBTRC is doing well.  In the twelve months since July 1, 2005, 1,207 computers have been refurbished of which 215 have been distributed to the community and 302 to Baltimore City Schools.  In 16 classes, 204 people have completed the above listed technology courses for a total of 6,947 hours in training.  Fourteen people have found jobs.  A cadre of 183 volunteers donated a total of 5,761 hours supporting the operation.

back to top