June 3, 1999 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Low Income Networking and Communications Project helps groups that provide advocacy for welfare recipients use technology to communicate with one another and bolster their efforts.
The project’s Web site now features a directory of more than 185 groups in 44 states formed by poor people to advocate in behalf of welfare recipients. The site also includes newsletters published by the groups, a calendar of events, technology advice, and links to sites of interest to welfare activists. The project also sponsors an e-mail discussion list.
“These groups were very isolated before this list started. They had no way of effectively finding out about each other, and many of them felt that they were alone,” explains Dirk Slater, the project’s “circuit rider,” who provides technical assistance to member groups.
In his role as circuit rider, Mr. Slater helps organizations — in person, over the telephone, or via e-mail — plan how they can improve their use of technology. He also provides training and support and identifies other organizations that can offer further training and help groups finance technology projects.
The project is run by the Welfare Law Center, in New York, and was initially financed by the Open Society Institute.
TO GET THERE: Go to http://www.lincproject.org.
