Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 October 2002 — Page 9
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25,2002
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
PAGE AS
Atlanta colleges forming digital community
ByLANGODEEN Special to The Recorder Atlanta University Center Inc., the oldest and largest historically Black college and university (HBCU) consortium, is working to bring vital knowledge and employment skills to its constituent communities through the HBCU Technology Project. The project is providing information technology, computer operations systems training, Internet/ Web technical assistance, and ser-vice-learning for tutoring and mentoring of members of commu-nity-based organizations in neighborhoods adjacent to AUC’s sixcampus university grounds. Schools in the consortium include Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Mqrris Brown College,
Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine, and the Interdenominational Theological Center. AUC began the project through a partnership with die Center’s University Community Development Corp. — a nonprofit that coordinates community development projects with AUC schools — and Seedco, a national nonprofit intermediary founded in 1986. Assisted by AmeriCorps’ VISTA members, the Seedco-HBCU partnership provides skilled students who volunteer a few hours each week to help make a positive change in the lives of local residents of low-income communities. , Besides the AUC institutions, six other out-of-state schools participate in the program, including Alabama A&M University, in
Huntsville, Ala.; Benedict College, in Columbia, S.C.; Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Ala.; Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.; Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss.; and Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala. Among the community organizations participating in the project are the Technical Outreach Community Help (TORCH) computer center, which is supported by the National Society of Black Engineers Alumni Extension Chapter in Atlanta; the Lester J. Rodney Mentoring Center, a technology and general academic program for elementary school students; the Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation, which gives 6- to 14-year-olds homework help on the computer and provides other com-
puter skills; Renaissance Economic Development Corp., an afterschool program that prepares high school students for the SAT, ACT, and GRE tests; and the Metro Atlanta Resource Center, which offers tutorial sessions on computer skills and on test-taking for higher learning opportunities and job advancement. For six weeks last summer, AUC also partnered with Helping Teens Succeed, an AmeriCorps program, to provide college-bound teen-age students and their parents with the skills to access online information on scholarships and other resources to finish college. This fall, says Bermira Gates, coordinator of the HBCU Technology Project, efforts are being stepped up by AUC and VISTA to i ncrease volun teerism among AUC
students who have project management, event-planning, oral and written communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to leadership development and community service. “The HBCU Technology Project at the AUC is about bridging the ‘Digital Divide,’ which cannot be accomplished without
putting in place policies and procedures in the technological arena,” says Gates. For additional information about the HBCU Technology Project,call Bermira Gates at (404) 522-8989, extension 1520, or email her at [email protected].
Pumpkin Fair will promote literacy awareness
To celebrate Make a Difference Day, Concord Community Center will host a Pumpkin Fair staffed by students from IUPUI. It will be Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Concord Community Center, 1310 S. Meridian St. IUPUI’s American Humanics Student Association and the America Reads-Indiana Reading Corps tutoring program will sponsor the event. Pumpkin Fair will celebrate autumn, promote literacy awareness in the community and provide literacy activities for all interested area youth and parents. The Volunteers of America will donate free books for children who attend the fair, which is free and welcomes children and family to drop in anytime during the fair*I , ii: ✓ Ay./.')a The project is one of hundreds of service activities nationwide that mark Make a Difference Day, which is held on the fourth Saturday in October and is in its 12th year. The IUPUI America Reads-
Indiana Reading Corps program is a partnership between AmeriCorps, Indiana Campus Compact, and the IUPUI Center for Service and Learning. The program places IUPUI students at nine sites around Indianapolis to work with preschool through sixth grade students on literacy skills. The American Humanics Student Association is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations preparing undergraduates for careers with youth and human service agencies.
359 teens receive awards in reading program Special to The Recorder the “Junior Reading Giants,”
awarded $13,930 in scholarship money to 283 middle school teens who completed the program. Union Planters Bank, sponsor of the “Reading Giants,” awarded $7,300 in scholarship money to 74 high school-aged reading volunteers who completed the program. Teen mentors participated in 1,313 story programs attended by 7,8% younger children at branch libraries throughout Marion
County.
Having completed its second year, the scholarship program was established to promote literacy and give teens an opportunity to learn how their efforts can make a difference in
The Sallie Mae Fund, sponsor of the lives of younger children.
A record 359 teens in grades 612 have received scholarships in the form of Savings Bonds as a reward for volunteering to read aloud to young children during the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s 2002 Summer Reading Program, “Three-Ring Read-
ers.
A total of 891 teen mentors in grades 6-8 participated as “Junior Reading Giants,” while 348 teens in grades 9-12 served as “Reading Giants” during this innovative component of the 2002 Summer Reading Program designed to teach leadership and community service.
ICLUfiles lawsuit over school district fee EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — The Indiana Civil Liberties Union has taken up a challenge of the Evansville school district’s decision to charge all students a $20 activities fee regardless of their involvement after the school day ends. The ICLU has filed a lawsuit in Vanderburgh Superior Court on behalf of parents Frank and Margaret Nagy against the district, saying the fee violates the state constitution’s requirement of free public education. ICLU attorney Jackie Bowie Seuss said the fee differed from acceptable student activity fees, charged for activities such as sports. “Activities fees are charged for actual student activities,” Seuss said. “This is considered to be tuition and, therefore, it violates the constitution when it’s related to the actual education of students.” The district’s attorney, Patrick Shoulders, said he believed the new fee was legal because it helped pay for nurses, media specialists and counselors. “Whatever we do above basic instruction can be assigned a fee,” he said. The Nagys said they refused to pay the fee this school year for their 12-year-old child but did pay, under protest, for their 8-year-old child. “It’s the principle of the matter more than anything,” Frank Nagy said. “I hate to see this kind of fee get started. I know how these fees can go up.”
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Culliinil Insliliitions—I nhippetl Resources
November 14,2002 Thursday, 4-7pm White River Gardens 1200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 44222 Reservations are not required. Admission is FREE. The Indianapolis Zoological Society wishes lb thank The Indianapolis Foundation of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (or underwriting this event. The Minority ¥mdor Fair is presented in conjunction with: Asian American Alliance, Indianapolis Black mm a* ** i mi ■ n p ■ L.nomDm Or COffwItfCt, Indianapolis Chombar of Commerce, Indianopolis Hispanic Chamber of dfOmnierce, Stole of Inchono nninonry ono women 9 Beshtem Enterprise Division
Indianapolis, Gram* Eiteljorg Museum State Museum, In Children’s Choir, Museum of Art 11111111II INI 9 mid
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