Microsoft and Bon Macy’s volunteers teamed up with Digital Promise for a United Way Day of Caring project on Friday, Sept 19. Fourteen technical professionals spent the day providing technical assistance to computer labs located in five affordable housing communities. The project was organized by Digital Promise and included the Martin Luther King Apartments, New Holly Community Learning Center, Plymouth Housing Group, Hilltop House and Mitchell Place. Working in teams of two and three, the volunteers focused their talents and energy on whatever tasks were needed at the labs, from applying software upgrade patches, to fixing printer problems to conducting general systems maintenance. Both the center staff and the volunteers who participated gained from the experience. "It was really a super exchange," said Ellen Gordon, lab Manager at New Holly, where the volunteers helped sort out some software problems. At Hilltop House, a center serving seniors, the team was able to get all five of their computers back online and running smoothly. "It was a feat none of us could do," said Administrator Darla O’Brien. Spending the day in Seattle’s diverse communities was also a positive experience for the volunteers. "All in all, it was a great day," said Microsoft team leader Dawn Wood. "It was a lot of fun. Several of the volunteers want to go back to do more at the centers." "I loved the experience," said Program Writer, Charles Cox. "It was so cool to get involved and be able to make a difference."

The Earned Income Tax Credit provides low-income working families with thousands in tax refunds. The United Way, ACORN and others are looking for volunteers to help with outreach and to help families prepare their returns, providing an alternative to commercial preparers that take a portion of their money away. You don't need to be an expert, and training is available. ECOM and the Rainier Beach Community Tech Center are teaming up to provide a site. For more info, see unitedway.org. Families can also use icanefile.org. Community computer sites can find out more about how to encourage use of icanefile.

The federal Technology Opportunity Program has just given a $436,685 green light to an exciting Refugee Web project. The Nonprofit Assistance Center (NAC), in partnership with Refugee Federation Service Center, Refugee Women's Alliance, Jewish Family Services, and 16 grass roots community-based Mutual Assistance Associations providing employment and social services to refugees in the Puget Sound region, will demonstrate the effectiveness of using web-based and mobile technology to enhance community service delivery. The City of Seattle Community Technology Program has provided some technical support and will be linking centers up with broadband cable service. For more info contact nacseattle.org or visit them at their non-profit assistance fair on October 20.

The City of Seattle Boards and Commissions meeting room now has a public telephone listen line. Up to 24 callers at a time can call (206) 684-4718 and listen to meetings taking place in the City Boards and Commissions meeting room.

The Boards and Commissions meeting room is located on floor L2 of the Seattle City Hall building, at L280. A number of City boards and commissions meet there regularly, including the Design Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Women's Commission. The City Council funded the listen line in the 2004 budget process, sponsored by Nick Licata. The funding comes from cable television franchise fees. City policy has been that these fees are used to provide citizen technology access to City services.

The Race and Social Justice Project awards are intended to create opportunities for meaningful interactions between Seattle's diverse racial and ethnic community members and encourage mutual understanding and respect. All races, ethnic and cultural groups are encouraged to submit a proposal. Projects should result in the creation of stronger bonds and connections between individuals and an increased sense of community. See last year's awards.

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