The Community Technology Empowerment Project

ELL Technology Literacy Coordinator

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Position: CTEP Economic Empowerment Member

Program:  Community Technology Empowerment Project

Partner Agency: Neighborhood House

Location(s): 179 Robie Street E, St Paul, MN 55107

Site Supervisor:  Kara Schommer, Adult Education and College Access Program Manager

CTEP Program Description:

The AmeriCorps Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the “digital divide” for new Immigrants and low-income communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Join AmeriCorps CTEP and help make the information age accessible to all.  CTEP is a project of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN).

Site History and Mission

Neighborhood House is a social service agency that has become an integral part of the community on St. Paul’s diverse and culturally rich West Side.  Founded in 1897, the organization now serves low income families, refugees and immigrants, and other residents in challenging situations.  More than 95% of our participants live at or below the poverty line, 96% are persons of color and 93% speak a native language other than English.

Our constituencies bring a variety of assets and needs to the programs at Neighborhood House. Their most pressing desire is to become technologically literate so they can fully participate in our society.  As an agency that serves more that 11,000 unique participants each year, Neighborhood House staff continuously seek opportunities for cross-program collaboration.  Some of our participants programmatic needs overlap.  One commonality is that the vast majority live below the poverty level.  Education and training in technology-based skills are the vehicles that can drive participants out of poverty and into living wage jobs.

Preferred Site Schedule for Member

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am-3:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 12:30am-8:30pm, very flexible

In addition, members attend professional development days with their fellow CTEP members to enhance service-readiness skills, personal attributes at the service site, and citizenship skills.  These Corps days take place twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM, and these trainings are mandatory.  Members also attend statewide AmeriCorps events, such as the Martin Luther King Day celebration, and/or serve on the statewide InterCorps Council.

Site Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and lead enriching technology literacy programming offered to Latino, Southeast Asian, East African adult immigrants and refugees and U.S. born native English speakers
• Identify learners’ technology education needs; develop, replicate and enrich programming to meet these needs
• Collaborate with Adult Basic Education (ABE) sites throughout Twin Cities, Workforce Centers in Ramsey and Dakota County and other Public Computer Centers to acquire and implement best practice technology training and employment service models
• Prepare participants to enter competitive workforce by helping them develop employment search skills and employability skills
• Develop partnerships with area businesses and employment placement agencies to help participants achieve employment goals
• Maintain and update training model to guide future staff and volunteer orientation to best practices for integrating technology instruction activities
• Recruit, train and support volunteers to facilitate large group, small group and one-on-one computer literacy lessons
• Work one-on-one with learners who require extra support to gain computer literacy skills
• Track learner progress through attendance and goal achievement
• Perform outreach to Neighborhood House programs and community partners
• Meet regularly with supervisor
• Attend staff meetings and trainings

Unique Qualifications Sought

• Experience with English Language Learners and/or Adult Basic Education learners

Site Environment

In 2006, Neighborhood House moved into its new home in the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building. At its new location, Neighborhood House continues to serve its participants and the community.  Staff members are highly motivated and innovative; staff value teamwork and strive to create a fun and supportive environment.

In 2010, the Neighborhood House Adult Education (formerly ELL/GED) program served 927 individuals.  More than 95% of our participants live at or below the poverty level, 98% are persons of color, and 92% speak a native language other than English.  91% of Adult Education participants are 18-54 years of age; and 52% are female, 48% are male.  The Adult Education program participants are Latino (59%), African or African American (26%) Southeast Asian (10%) and Caucasian (5%).

How to Apply

Apply online at my.americorps.gov and click on “Apply to Serve” (be sure to enter 06ACHMN0010008-0 as the “Program Listing ID,” or search for the Community Technology Empowerment Project).  Contact: Joel Krogstad, joel@technologypower.org, 651.556.1384

We are committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.  Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request.  Alternative formats of this document are also available.