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Non-Profits to Place “A Mouse in Every House”
Unique Sweat Equity Program will allow Habitat Homeowners to “Learn and Earn” Computers on Computers for Humanity Day
Houston, Texas – February 26, 2004 – It was announced today that Bay Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH) and Technology For All (TFA) will work together to place “A Mouse in Every House” on a special Computers for Humanity Day scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2004. The day, which will begin with a breakfast on the lawn at Faith United Methodist Church in Dickinson, will culminate with the placement of computers in the home of Bay Area Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Dickinson, Texas City, and LaPorte.
Both Technology For All and Bay Area Habitat for Humanity have focused their missions on the empowerment of low income persons. While the two organizations have focused on different aspects of empowerment, this unique project will create educational and economic opportunities for Habitat homeowners through a “learn and earn” component similar to the traditional sweat equity that Habitat for Humanity is known for.
Technology For All and Bay Area Habitat for Humanity are working together to secure corporate and community donors and volunteers to assist with the program. Computer contributions of Pentium III computers and faster will be received by Technology For All and refurbished by student volunteers at its program office in Houston’s East end at the Mission Milby Community Development Corporation. Technology For All is a “Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher” and will install a licensed copy of Windows 2000 on computers donated by corporations and individuals.
As a part of “Computers for Humanity Day” BAHFH homeowners will participate with community volunteers in a required learning event at the Faith United Methodist Church in Dickinson. Members of the church will host the event, which will begin at 9 am with breakfast on the lawn. Following the training participating Habitat homeowners will receive computers for installation in their homes. Volunteers recruited from the community and from area corporations will assist with the program which is designed to help Habitat homeowners gain the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to successful and fully participate in the 21st century economy.
Additional computer skills training for Habitat homeowners will be provided following the “Computers for Humanity Day” and each family will receive a copy of the recently published book A House with No Mouse by P. S. Tinsley, Ph.D.
TFA and BAHFH are seeking sponsors, donors, and volunteers for the program. Donors and sponsors will be recognized publicly at the event and in all publicity, t-shirts and printed materials produced for the project. Sponsorship and giving opportunities include both cash and in-kind contributions of computers, ISP services, training for homeowners and more. Volunteers will be trained by Technology For All to help homeowners install computers in their homes and utilize them as tools for education and training.
A Mouse in Every House is expected to become a model for similar programs in other communities. Donors and sponsors associated with this ground-breaking initiative will receive significant recognition as a result of their participation.
About Bay Area Habitat for Humanity
Bay Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH), an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is dedicated to providing quality housing for low-income families in the Bay Area. Led by a dedicated board and volunteers from Galveston County and Southeast Harris County, BAHFH has built over fifty homes as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for families in Dickinson, Texas City and LaPorte. For more information click on www.bahfh.org or contact Bob Ward, President at: 1837 Saxony Lane, Nassau Bay, TX 77058. Phone: 281.333.2182 Email: rlward@yahoo.com.
About Technology For All
Technology For All (TFA) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit focused on bringing technology and the opportunities it provides to underserved communities. TFA improves communities through the tools of technology and is creating educational, economic and personal opportunities for America’s underserved. In Houston Technology For All-Houston has helped create and develop over 185 community technology centers (CTCs) in collaboration with local community-based organizations across the region. Program partners include local TFA initiatives in Houston and Colorado and over 350 individual CTCs in fifty-six U.S. cities. TFA administrative offices are located at 109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 425, Houston, Texas 77024. Program offices are located at the Mision Milby CDC (a project of Milby United Methodist Church), 2220 Broadway, Houston, Texas 77012. Phone: 713.961.0012. Technology For All and the Technology For All logo are trademarks of Technology For All. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
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