History

Community Technology of NCW(CTNCW) was founded as North Central Community Network in 2003. At that time, we received a start-up grant from the Community Foundation of NCW. In January of 2004, we received our 501(c)3 non-profit status as well as becoming a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher.

CTNCW started in a basement as a part-time agency. In 2004, we provided 51 low-income families with computers and in 2005, we provided computers to 75 families. In of 2006, we provided 187 low-income families with computers. We were able to increase our operating hours, change our location, and double our Interns through a grant from the Community Foundation of NCW.

The families that we serve must qualify as low-income to be served by our program. We use the same Federal Poverty Level that the schools use for free and reduced lunch. When working with the schools, any child that is eligible for the free and reduced lunch program is eligible for a computer from our program.

For the past 3 years we have worked with Orchard Middle School's Gear-up program to provide classes and computers to students and parents. Last fall we started working with Okanogan Valley Gear-up providing basic computer course and computers to parents of middle school students. This year we have expanded our couses to include and advanced course for the parents and a Deconstruct/Reconstruct course for the students.

Our computers come from a variety of sources such as individual donations, Federal agencies and local businesses.

Interns from NCW Skill center, OIC, and SkillSource refurbish our computers.

A recent study done by the Children's Partnership helps us to answer the question "How can a computer and the Internet help our children succeed?" They focused on four areas that are traditionally rungs on the ladder of opportunity that have benefited generations of Americans. These areas are listed below.

First area, Improved Health: The study found that strongest evidence of positive impacts as well as some of the most exciting untapped potential in the area of improving health of children. Computers and Internet are proving to be an effective way to keep parents, patients, and doctors in closer communication; and a resource offering teenagers and young adults a safe way to learn about sensitive subjects like birth control, pregnancy, and AIDS. This has been shown to lead young people to make better choices about healthy behavior.

Second, Educational Achievement: Various studies have documented that appropriate use of technology in an educational context can help students achieve better grades, increase scores on tests, increase school attendance and improve school behavior. There is also early evidence that technology can have a particularly significant impact on improved academic performance among students from low-income or rural backgrounds.

Third, Economic opportunity: Young people with developed technology skills can benefit from their skills in two ways: 1. They are prepared for better jobs, and 2. They can easily use their skills to search, apply for and obtain jobs.

Fourth, Community and Civic Participation: There is a growing "youth civic culture" on the web with thousands of sites offering a variety of ways for young people to become involved in their local communities or communicate with others who share their interests.