8/20/2007
Media Contact:
Margie Smith-Simmons, Mayor’s Office
[317] 327-3690
Duane Brodt, Coles Marketing Communications
[317] 571-0051 |
 |
Hundreds of computers donated to IPS elementary school, students by Bright House Networks, TechPoint Foundation
Net Literacy, city of Indianapolis designate Monday ‘Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation Day’
INDIANAPOLIS – Two hundred refurbished computers were donated to an Indianapolis elementary school and its students today, a day the city of Indianapolis and partner Net Literacy declared as ‘Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation Day.’
This morning at IPS No. 78 Minnie Hartmann School, located at 3734 E. Vermont St., Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Ellen Quigley and Net Literacy Executive Director Don Kent publicly honored both Bright House Networks for its active civic engagement, community service and financial contributions that have positively affected the city and its residents and TechPoint Foundation for its support of Net Literacy’s programs and community partnerships.
The computers are being donated to the school which in turn will distribute the majority of them to students and their families for use in their homes. Some computers will be utilized in the school’s computer lab and others will be used to teach keyboarding skills.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to connect students with technology. A computer is a valuable teaching tool that can greatly enhance a student’s home life as well as boost their classroom learning experience,” said Deputy Mayor Ellen Quigley.
The mission of Net Literacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is to empower youth to increase computer availability and Internet literacy throughout Indiana by focusing on underserved youth, families and seniors. U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh serve as honorary co-chairs and programs are conducted by hundreds of youth volunteer instructors. Net Literacy helps establish public computer labs for the underserved, supplies computer and Internet training materials and has provided trained youth instructors to lead computer skills and Internet literacy classes. Free-access computer labs have been established in such places as community centers, senior citizen centers, churches, federal housing communities and both independent- and assisted-living facilities.
Both Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation provide funding and support that enables Net Literacy to create and maintain community computer labs and equip them with fully-functioning refurbished computers. Bright House Networks further delivers computers to the various labs and wires the labs for Internet access.
Melissa Richards, Principal of Minnie Hartmann School 78, is enthusiastic about how these computers will impact her school. “I am excited that our students and parents will have additional access to technology in their homes. Increasing computer access in our students’ homes is one of the most effective ways of helping them become even more successful at school. Bright House Networks, the TechPoint Foundation and Net Literacy are making a difference at Minnie Hartmann.”
“It is critical that children learn basic computer skills at an early age and continue to build their skills throughout their life,” said Bright House Networks Indiana President Buz Nesbit. “It is also imperative that students’ parents and other family members be computer literate. In all communities that Bright House Networks serves, we focus our philanthropy resources on youth, education and community enhancement. With our partners Net Literacy and Techpoint Foundation, we are thankful to be making a difference in so many lives.”
Net Literacy’s Kent agrees. “This is also an outstanding example of how the Indianapolis community is working together and the impact that Bright House Networks, a local and socially responsible company, is having on our community,” he said. “The support of Bright House Networks and TechPoint Foundation has enabled Net Literacy to significantly expand computer access and instruction to more under served areas of our city.”
“Through its guidance and support, Bright House Networks enabled Net Literacy youth volunteers to achieve remarkable results in a very short time,” said TechPoint Foundation Executive Director Rip Taggart. “Our partnership with Bright House Networks is an inspiration to volunteers of all ages and to other companies that can provide resources and leadership to build these skills in our community.”
Bright House Networks began its partnership with Net Literacy in 2005 to increase computer access and Internet literacy throughout central Indiana. The initial goal was to provide 30,000 residents with increased access to computers through the creation of community computer labs for underserved residents. Today, more than 100 computer labs are up and running, using Net Literacy computer and training materials. Net Literacy youth volunteer instructors also have taught basic computer skills and Internet literacy at some locations.
Since the partnership’s inception and the first computer lab sponsored by Bright House Networks opened in November 2005, more than 40,000 central Indiana residents have enjoyed increased access to computers, instruction and classes and the Internet.
-30-
ABOUT BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
In Indiana, Bright House Networks is one of central Indiana's leading providers of digital video, including Video On Demand, Subscription Video On Demand; digital phone; and high-speed data services. Managed by Advance / Newhouse Communications, Bright House Networks is a privately held company that has served the Indianapolis community for 25 years. Bright House Networks has more than 450 Indiana employees and provides services to more than 120,000 customers in Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville, Avon, Pittsboro, Lizton, Fortville, Marion, Gas City and Jonesboro. For more, visit www.indiana.mybrighthouse.com.
Bright House Networks’ local customer service centers are available 24 hours a day seven days per week, including holidays. Public affairs, social responsibility and community involvement continue as major initiatives for Bright House Networks as an ongoing commitment to the families and communities the company serves, including long-term commitments to education and to what matters in the lives of Bright House Networks communities.
ABOUT TECHPOINT FOUNDATION
TechPoint Foundation provides volunteers and financial support to effective community programs that help Indiana’s youth develop the 21st century skills necessary for success in the global information economy. As Indiana entered the 21st century, a small group of technology entrepreneurs had a common vision. They recognized many young Hoosiers lacked the knowledge and opportunity to develop the skills necessary for success in Indiana's growing information economy. They believed it was the responsibility of Indiana's technology sector to provide leadership and resources to eliminate this digital divide, making 21st century skills available to everyone. These technology entrepreneurs shared their vision with other community leaders, and in 2001 they founded the TechPoint Foundation. For more, visit www.techpointfoundation.org.
ABOUT NET LITERACY
Net Literacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, empowers youth to increase computer availability and Internet literacy throughout Indiana by focusing on under served youth, families and seniors. Net Literacy concentrates its efforts on four programs: Senior Connects, Safe Connects Connects, Computer Connects and Computer Connects. For more, visit www.netliteracy.org.
|
