To meet the needs of the 500+ people who live in these two housing units for computer and internet access, we worked with staff and residents to set up two accessible computer labs. We had a small budget to share with each lab, and they made the decisions about what they needed in their labs, based on surveys of residents. 

The computers and other equipment donated to us through the Cristina Foundation were an essential part of the solution to meet the needs of these individuals. Resident-volunteers helped establish criteria for who most needed computers in their apartments (versus who could use lab computers). They also developed training programs so that residents who wanted a computer had to first go through an orientation to computers that included use of the internet. 

Another group of resident-volunteers agreed to provide on-site technical support when possible, with ETTAC providing spare parts that are stripped from non-functioning computers or training on how to trouble-shoot systems. 

Finally, two of the computers loaned to these two labs are for specific purposes. One has keyboarding software installed on it, and the other has GED software on it. When residents have these short-term needs, they can "borrow" the computers from their own labs, use them, and then return them for others to use. 

All in all, this partnership has had several results: 
- The needs of people who live in these two housing units for computers and computer access are being met in a more timely fashion
- More people have computers in their apartments and are using these computers to do research, find out about changes in health care and Medicare, to order supplies, and to keep up-to-date on local and world events 
- People are gaining new skills, including an 80+ year-old grandmother, who has learned to use email to communicate with her family in other parts of the U.S. 
- One senior is working on her GED (she says she's going to get her GED before she dies!) 
- One lab is developing new training programs that include how to start your own business 
- One lab is working on a community newsletter. 

So . . . you help sow many seeds. We thank you, and we thank all those people who consider donating computers rather than dumping them someplace where they can't or won't get used. 

Thanks for all your great work and support, 
Lois Symington
Director