Technology creates a base for different Adult Education agencies to work together to provide the same or similar services to the larger community. I have been working on developing and presenting the plan for Adult Education Drop-In Centers that are computer based and provide lessons and classes for all adults who need to further their education in any area. I also have created a list of charitable foundations that fund this type of project. My main priority is my ESL class based on Pumarosa, of course.
A few months ago, I focused on libraries and set up classes and met with various librarians in an already established network of libraries in the Santa Barbara - Ventura - Oxnard area of California. Recently I met with the director of a community center in Oxnard who is also interested in setting up a drop-in center.
My own ESL class is in a library in Ventura, near where I live, and in the same area there is a community center that provides art classes and a homework center with computers, and a few blocks from this center there is also a Recreation Center that has a computer lab for community use, and advertises that it can help in job searches. So next week I will pay a visit and explain the drop-in center plan and find out if these two centers would be interested in learning more.
From this I expect a network to emerge that would be able to serve the community better by working together rather than by working independently.
In my opinion, the Drop-In Center Network is “an idea whose time has come”.
In any case, I am very interested in being in being in touch with those who like this idea, so please contact me at paulwayerogers@gmail.com
Paul Rogers
Comments
As you know, Paul, I am very much in agreement with you. I have a drop in variation working with my local library on Saturdays. I am building everything up without money and without tons of advertisement and growth has been slow but we have had over a dozen community members show up at for at least 4 hours each. Their word of mouth seems to be helping to spread the word that the library is a great place to go get answers and support from the community :)
I appreciate your updates and ideas, Paul and hope we can hear from others that may be interested starting up something in their area or maybe they already have something going on they can share?
Ed, your program sounds like it has a good base of support among the community members. If you are interested in submitting a grant, I will send you the list of foundations I have plus a grant application template.
In addition I recommend approaching various businesses in the area for donations.
Does the library need computers? I am sure Bill Gates willl help!! Along this line the library is eligible to get laptops donated for use in class and maybe for the student to borrow if need be.
I think a Saturday drop-in is a good idea and I am going to start one in September at a library. One good thing about forming a network of drop-in centers is that basically it would offer more hours for students who are interested. The YMCA would be a good location, for example, because it is open 7 days a week. Second-hand stores also - I have in mind some second-hand stores that are run by large agencies nation-wide.
I understand also the need to keep it small at first, to build it up on a good foundation. At some point it will be very beneficial to the community to advertise it as well as possible with a low or no budget. Here I recommend Public Access Television, which is one of my next steps..
Paul, like Ed, I totally support this idea, and I think it will be useful in areas like the vast rural region where I live, where Internet access is sketchy in homes of residents. I would love to have the list of funders that you mentioned if they fund projects outside of California. I have had no luck contacting the Gates Foundation, unfortunately. If you have a contact there, that would help a lot.
https://everyoneon.org is something that I am promoting in the region, but Drop-In Centers would still be very helpful!
Good discussion. Thanks! Leecy
Leecy and group members, some foundations, like the Gates Foundation, do not accept unsolicited applications for funding. So if there is someone out there who knows Bill and Melinda, please post some clues here!!!! BUT there are many foundations that are interested in funding worthwhile projects like the Drop-In Center, and right now - almost as we speak - I am googling variations of the heading: grants for adult education, technology in the classroom, etc., etc.
A good way to start researching grants is to see if there are any large companies with branches in your area, and then google them for information on their charitable giving. Often they are interested in funding projects that are near their stores or facilities. Companies such as Walmart, Target, grocery store, restaurants, banks, etc. In any case, I will share all the information I gather, including some hints on grant writing, just email me at pumarosa21@yahoo.com
Great ideas! Thanks, Paul. Anyone else? Let's all get funded! Leecy
Mobile Libraries or Book Mobiles can also be used as mobile computer labs that can offer all the services of a Drop-In Center. Here is an excellent model:
TRAINING WHEELS: MOBILE COMPUTER LAB - Lexington Public Library
Problem Statement
In difficult economic times, people depend even more on their public libraries. During the previous year, the Lexington Public Library saw a 25% increase in computer usage. As the area’s unemployment rate spiked, the library began offering a “Job Lab” in its computer classes. This program offered resume assistance and help with online job searching. Demand for these classes was overwhelming. Staff realized that if demand was so great in the library, the need for these services outside the library’s walls must be tremendous as well. Many people in underserved areas of the community don’t have a way to access the library, let alone its computer classes.Innovation
The solution was for the library’s Outreach Services Department to offer classes via a mobile computer lab. These classes would be targeted at those underserved and most vulnerable populations, many of whom were finding themselves in the job market for the first time in years. The Lexington Public Library Foundation secured an $82,000 grant from the Knight Foundation. These funds were used to purchase equipment for two computer labs, including 22 laptops, mobile wireless carts, mobile hotspot units, monthly broadband access, and other various hardware components. The grant funds also paid the salary of a full-time mobile lab instructor for approximately 18 months.Progress
Over the past year, the mobile lab has been all over the community: city parks, community rooms, gymnasiums, nursing homes, homeless shelters, schools, and a variety of other places. Several types of programs have been offered: basic computer skills, basic internet searching, basic windows, word processing, resume assistance, and online job searching. Community members have learned everything from how to use a mouse to how to create an interactive blog. Thus far, over 1,700 persons of all ages have utilized the Mobile Lab services (in 16 months). There have been senior citizens, handicapped individuals, unemployed persons, and people with limited finances, transportation, or other barriers. The mobile lab instructor not only offers “one time” basic level classes, but teaches multi-week, more intensive classes as well. The library has partnered with other organizations to make classes available in Spanish on several occasions. One of the series classes was in conjunction with Goodwill Industries and was a part of their “Second Chance at Success” program, which targeted return-to work felons. As a result of this class, the Lexington Public Library was named “Partner of the Year” by Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. https://www.urbanlibraries.org/training-wheels--mobile-computer-lab-innovation-392.php?page_id=96