$1-Million Awarded to Technology Programs

By Nicole Wallace

The Community Technology Centers’ Network, in Washington, has awarded almost $1-million to 50 nonprofit organizations that teach technology skills to disadvantaged youths, homeless people, and people with disabilities.

The organization’s Connections for Tomorrow program — a three-year collaboration with the Alliance for Technology Access, which encourages disabled people to use technology, and TechMission, formerly known as the Association of Christian Community Computer Centers — has awarded $750,000 to 42 California social-service organizations. The money comes from the Compassion Capital Fund at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is part of President Bush’s effort to award more federal money to religious and local nonprofit organizations.

Recipients will use the grants — which range in size from $9,500 to $21,500 — to develop their organizations’ operations through activities such as creating curriculums, strengthening their boards, and improving their fund raising.

The Community Technology Centers’ Network also has awarded $175,000 to eight charities through its Youth Visions for Stronger Neighborhoods program, with funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Learn and Serve America program. The organizations will use the grants for youth-activism projects in which middle- and high-school students in poor areas identify and conduct research on problems in their neighborhoods, document them through multimedia technology, and then take action.

For more information: Go to http://www.ctcnet.org.