Sociedad Latina
Roxbury, MA

Founded in 1968, Sociedad Latina is the oldest Latino organization in Boston. Its mission is to enhance the overall well-being of the community by delivering programs that encourage community leadership through educational attainment, cultural identity, and continuation of traditions. The organization is known for the peer leadership model that it has been implementing in its youth programs for over 20 years. Six years ago, the organization conducted a community needs assessment, which has led to a shift in its programming. One of the priorities highlighted in this assessment was a need for technology access both for adults and youth. In response to this finding, Sociedad Latina now offers computer classes to adults and incorporates technology training throughout its youth programs.

With a 75-person wait list for computer classes, Sociedad Latina applied to the Connections for Tomorrow for program expansion funds. Sociedad Latina has used the funds to provide additional technology training opportunities to older, out-of-school youth, whom the organization recognizes as having fewer programming options available to them.

C4T Grant Activities
At Sociedad Latina, the C4T funds are focused on the Technology Peer Institute (TPI). TPI recruits youth to work as technology tutors in Sociedad Latina’s computer education programs. At the same time, these youth participate in advanced technology training and gain work experience to prepare them for careers in the technology sector. Through C4T, an expanded TPI engages youth in a range of career development and skill building workshops (including both hardware and software), job shadowing, research regarding technology careers, and of course, computer instruction for community members.

Outcomes
Thirty-one youth, including 11 out of school youth, have participated in the expanded TPI. The tutors are developing 5 new curricula in English and Spanish to be used in future computer classes. These tutors have taught 130 computer classes on topics such as Intro to Computers, Microsoft Word (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced), and Internet/Email. Seventy youth increased their technology skills by an average of 31% and 83 adults have increased their knowledge by an average of 32%. The technology tutors have increased their own skills by an average of 41%. The tutors have advanced their own learning by attending trainings on web development, research skills, curriculum development, public speaking and community organizing. In addition to this on-site learning, the TPI tutors also participate in information technology internships at the University of Massachusetts (Boston) and Wentworth Institute of Technology for four hours per week. Three of the tech tutors have obtained their Internet and Computing Core Certification, while 5 others are still in the midst of the certification process. The certification validates standards-based training, basic computing, Internet knowledge and skills.

Additional successes that have directly resulted from the TPI program include:

• One TPI tutor enrolling in a GED program to continue education.
• One TPI tutor is now earning $17/hr teaching computer classes part-time for another community organization.
• Two adult students instructed by TPI tech tutors have found employment with their newly acquired computer skills.

Work Products
As mentioned above, the TPI tutors are working to develop bilingual computer curricula. The tutors are also evaluating the impact of their computer instruction using pre and post test assessment forms they have created in both Spanish and English. These tools are used in both their adult and youth classes, and are also available to other CTCs through CTCNet’s Resource Center.

Access Fund
With the Access Fund Money, Sociedad Latina was able to purchase the Read & Write 7.1E Gold Software. This software will help many students to read and write better. Also, they were able to purchase a state-of-the-art projector screen, which has already begun to make a difference in the way the computer classes are being taught, with the information visualized better by students. Finally, they obtained an EPSON 3170 Photo scanner which has enabled all of the youth to learn how to scan documents, pictures, etc.