Funded in 2005 through the Technology Matching Fund, the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) provided a rotating mobile computing lab to residents of six affordable housing communities throughout the city. This project is part of LIHI’s Resident Technology Initiative (RTI) designed to help bridge the technology gap for their low income residents.

The Mobile Computing Project provided technology workshops to 60 adults living in low income housing units. Since the classes were offered in the buildings’ community rooms, they were more easily accessible and less intimidating than formal instruction would be in an outside setting. All the lessons were designed to empower residents, not only with technology skills, but with the capacity to access public and social services independently.

Participants were able to continue their studies even when the mobile lab wasn’t onsite. Classes were offered at sites equipped with mini-labs, two to four permanently placed computers with Internet access available for resident use. Those who completed training had the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills, even if they didn’t own a computer. One student said, "I grew up in a generation that did not have computers and they have always scared me. But you have opened up a whole new world. I can find anything."

The labs were maintained through a partnership with the Digital Bridge Academy, which provides service learning opportunities for low-income, at-risk youth ages 16 to 21. The youths helped troubleshoot malfunctioning hardware at the LIHI labs, install and configure productivity software and resolve network connectivity issues.

Volunteers were another key component of the project. "The volunteers shared their skills, connected with residents and learned a great deal about themselves and the social constructs of the community," said RTI Project Manager Janel Fox. Most of them have invested in the project beyond the classroom, offering tutoring classes, donations of software and hardware, as well as informal consulting services.

For more information on the LIHI’s Mobile Computing Project and Resident Technology Initiative, contact Janel Fox janelf@lihi.org

Annually, area volunteers and non-profits work with United Way to donate a full day to a worthy social cause on the "Day of Caring." This year on September 15, 17 volunteers from Microsoft and ITT Technical Institute’s Everett Campus teamed up with Digital Promise to visit computer learning centers in low income housing in Seattle and Eastside communities. The computer centers serve as gateways to the Internet and technology resources for underserved communities.

The volunteer effort accomplished a great deal. In addition to setting up three brand-new centers with 18 computers, the team performed maintenance and upgrades at four other centers. In all, 30 computers in seven centers were installed or upgraded during the day. The contribution wasn’t just in labor, however. The team brought in more than $5,000 in Microsoft software and equipment donated by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. "We were very pleased with both the commitment of the volunteers and the welcome that we received at the centers," said Dawn Wood, Digital Promise president and Microsoft employee.

The project was a valuable experience for the techies, too. "Microsoft encourages its staff to give back to the community," noted Microsoft’s Charles Cox, who led the assembly of the Microsoft and ITT Technical Institute team. "We were delighted to participate actively in this project," stated Shelly Lisoskie, dean of Everett’s ITT Technical Institute. "Our students are encouraged to share their talents in their communities and this was a perfect opportunity for that to happen."

For more information on this project, contact Dawn Wood dawn.wood@microsoft.com.

Washington Women's Foundation
Deadline: December 1 (Letter of Inquiry)

Awards grants (ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 disbursed over two- to three-years) from its pooled fund to selected organizations. Five funding areas: arts and culture, education, environment, health, and social services.

City of Seattle smART Ventures
Deadline: Ongoing

A new pilot funding program of the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs to create new access for individuals and groups not served by its other funding programs. Designed to be flexible, inclusive and simple. Apply anytime with an innovative idea or one-time opportunity. Provides support ($250 to $1,000) with the goal of expanding arts and cultural participation, particularly among diverse and underserved communities.

2007 Neighborhood and Community Arts (NAC) Program
Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 30

Funding in the amount of $1,200 is provided to support direct project expenses for recurring festivals or events that promote arts and cultural participation.

Social Venture Partners K-12 Education Grant
Deadline: December 4 (Letter of Inquiry)

Seeks to help students succeed in school by supporting non-profit organizations working on the following types of programs or initiatives: Professional development and training for teachers; professional development and training for school leadership (principals, assistant principals, lead teachers, teacher mentors, etc.); school-based social support for students; systemic change, including whole-school reform and education policy; parent or community involvement in schools; and academic enrichment for students.