Advocate!
Who we are and where we came from...
PCs for MAINE was launched in 2002 as a non-profit workforce development and educational initiative. Our founders understood that families without personal computer skills or access often had limited job marketability or unstable employment which resulted in lower family incomes and frequent unemployment. Lack of access in many cases also leads to lower early literacy rates among their children.
Comprehensive computer literacy ...
We learned that cost (buying and maintaining a computer) was only one factor prohibiting technology access. Larger obstacles are intimidation and a lack of available support and training options. We decided to build these supports into the program and experienced a significant increase in program outcomes.
Quantifying the results to date...
The program to date has provided more than 2800 computer systems with support to Maine families from Kittery to Fort Kent. The average participation cost paid per family is $227. The market value of the product and service provided by the program is $910 - if such a service was available.
Since our meager beginnings, ITE has grown to a $680,000.00 annual budget, has a staff of 8 full time employees, over 80 advocates, 6 regular volunteers, 30 non profit partners, has received $520,000.00 in grants and over $1,800,000.00 in donated technology - all leveraged to maximize our impact on the community and its future.
Bring this valuable resource to your community...
We do not advertise this program through conventional channels - instead we depend on advocates to identify suitable participants. This maximizes social return from the gifts of materials, time and funds so generously provided to this program. This is often as simple as putting PCs for MAINE program posters in a visible place in your facility - and as involved as embedding our computer literacy training into your existing workforce development, support or educational programs.
Common advocates are educators (head starts, public K-12 schools, community colleges, adult/continuing education), economic/career development groups (Career center councilors, Voc. Rehab., Economic Development Councils, Small business devepers) the non-profit sector (womens' business advocates, workforce integrators and developers, incubators, literacy programs, individual development & sponsorship groups) and business/community sustainability groups.
To access 'Advocate' content, use the 'Create New Account" link to left and request an 'Advocate' role. If this is your first encounter with PCs for MAINE, we ask that you introduce yourself to our staff via telephone PRIOR to creating an account.
If you have any questions or ideas you would like to discuss, you can post them in the advocate forums or you can contact me directly at 207 322-6257 or via email: cmartin@infotechexchange.org
Thank you for what you do,
Chris Martin- Founder of ITE - The PCs for MAINE personal computer access and literacy project
