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From the Desk of Thomas M. Menino (Mayor's Weekly Column)
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Author(s):
Thomas M. Menino
Source(s):
cityofboston.gov
Date: September 30, 2003
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"Evening on the Bridge 3.0" will help us close the span of the technology divide. I visited
with graduates, program alumni and the contributors who help make dreams a reality at last
week's fundraiser celebration at Playstead Field at Franklin Park.
People like Ken Novack of AOL/Time Warner, who took time from his busy schedule to appear on
a speaking platform that included Superintendent Thomas Payzant and me. Mr. Novack co-chaired
the Event Committee along with Chad Gifford and Reverand Hammond, who unfortunately could not
be with us. Each did a terrific job to ensure as many families are able to get the necessary
computer skills they need. FleetBoston Financial and The Boston Foundation were kind enough
to help underwrite the celebration.
We recognized the achievements of some very special people and we also paid tribute to two
remarkable programs -Technology Goes Home and TechBoston.
To date, the Technology Goes Home program has trained over 650 families and that's over
3,000 people who now have access to computers, software, and Internet access. That's quite
an accomplishment since I announced the program in 1999.
This year we've expanded TGH into the Boston Public Schools. Fourteen schools are going to
train parents and their kids using the TGH model. We've come a long way from the two pilot
sites where it all began in Allston-Brighton and Codman Square. The rapid expansion not
only shows the high demand for this program, but it also shows the commitment and dedication
of our teachers.
Through the McCormack Center evaluation, we have found that families grow closer when they
learn together.
Some of our TGH grads are very talented, as we witnessed a talent show aptly named "TGH
Idol." Celebrity judges Carole Brennan of Massport, Travis McCready from The Boston
Foundation and Karen James-Sykes from Verizon had a tough time deciding who was lucky
enough to take home top honors. Coach Willie Maye donated his time by serving as the
event's emcee. He certainly helped the evening run smoothly.
TechBoston all began five years ago with only 40 students and a teacher by the name of
Mary Skipper. Today TechBoston serves over 2,500 kids through the Boston Public Schools.
Every high school and most middle schools offer TechBoston classes. TechBoston gives
students cutting-edge training that leads to certification, internships, and jobs. Over
500 high school seniors got internships last year doing everything from web site design
for the Gates Foundation to working the help desk at JP Morgan.
We saw how TechBoston was changing the lives of students and opening opportunities for
them, so we created a pilot school that uses technology in every classroom. TechBoston
Academy students each have their own laptop and they use it for each class. This
high-tech academy will become a model for creating small schools within all of our
district high schools. And we couldn't have done it without the generosity of The Boston
Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Microsoft.
I've traveled around the country a great deal, especially during this past year, and I
have not found any programs as well developed as our technology education programs. I
encourage you all to continue your learning even after you graduate from TechBoston or
Technology Goes Home. Stay involved with your schools, community centers and neighbors.
We want to have the smartest young people and the most skilled labor force. You're not
only strengthening your family and your home, but together, we are strengthening our City.
None of this would be possible without lots of help. There are dozens of sponsors who
have contributed to Boston Digital Bridge Foundation and its programs, Technology Goes
Home and TechBoston.
People like Echo Tsai from HiQ Computers, whose involvement led to HiQ's donation of
1,000 computers, a catalyst of the Technology Goes Home program. Echo came all the way
from California to be us at the annual event, showing what it means to be a committed
corporate partner.
With all the help, we've made tremendous strides. But there is still much more work to
do to help our families gain the technology skills they need. There are thousands of
families in our City who still need help getting a computer.
We need to double our efforts to ensure that these adults and students have the necessary
tools and skills to compete in today's economy.
Technology is everyone's bridge to the future and I want to make sure that "Evening on
the Bridge 4.0" will bring even more success stories.
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