TechMission Corps: Boston
TechMission Boston Program:
Our TechMission Boston (TMB) program is the Boston component of our TechMission Corps program. TMB provides 15 FTE AmeriCorps Members (called TechMission Corps Members) to program Sites. We provide each of our Members with an intensive multi-day training as well as monthly training to help them develop the skills they need to support their program Sites. In addition, we provide 3 VISTA Members to assist with building the capacity of our TMB program and partners. TechMission Boston Members will assist with recruiting and/or coordinating more than 375 volunteers and/or work study students to serve at these Sites and other faith- and community-based organizations.
K-8 Afterschool Programs:
Our TechMission Boston Members are currently assigned to provide technology and academic enrichment activities to participants of the Victory Generation After-School sites of the Black Ministerial Alliance (BMA). Our goal for next year is that these programs would serve 250 at-risk youth in K-8 afterschool programs five days a week and provide technology activities as part of the afterschool programs for at least one hour per week. Members also assist with academic enrichment and other program activities at their Service Sites. In 2006-2007, 75% of all children in our afterschool programs improved by at least one letter grade and 100% of all program participants were promoted to the next grade level.
Teen Programs:
Our TMB Members are also assigned to provide technology activities, academic enrichment and college prep activities to participants at Higher Education Resource Centers (HERC) of the Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC). Our goal for next year is that these programs would serve 250 at-risk teens through academic support and college preparation. Members assist with providing homework help, academic assistance, SAT prep, mentoring services, and assistance with applying for college and financial aid.
K-8 Afterschool Programs Goals and Objectives:
Goal: To integrate technology and academic support into K-8 afterschool programs serving at-risk youth to enable them to succeed in school and in life.
Objectives:
250 K-8 youth will receive academic enrichment and homework assistance (this represents an increase in our goals from 200 last year)
75% of K-8 youth receiving assistance will increase by at least one letter grade in one subject or maintain an “A” or “B”
90% of K-8 youth receiving assistance will be promoted to the next grade level
200 K-8 youth will receive an average of one hour of technology and/or online safety instruction per week
85% of youth receiving tech instruction will increase in their knowledge of technology
Activity 1: Provide students with homework assistance and academic enrichment activities.
TMB Members will use a computer based academic curriculum from Eduss, a rigorous educational software program, to assist the students in English, Math and Phonics. Members will also provide homework help and other general academic enrichment activities.
Activity 2: Provide students with technology and online safety training.
Members also provide technology and/or online safety activities to program participants for at least one hour per week, helping them to develop skills to thrive in our technology-driven society. Lessons may include PowerPoint, digital photography, web design, basic typing, internet research skills and online safety.
Activities for Teen Programs Goals and Objectives:
Goal: Support technology and other activities to enable at-risk teens to succeed academically, get into college and to succeed in the workforce.
Objectives:
250 teens will receive academic assistance, tech training, college and SAT prep services (this represents an increase from 200 teens last year)
80% of eligible teens will apply to college
75% of teens applying will be accepted and enrolled in college
Activity 1: Provide students with intense curriculum which includes test-taking skills.
Members assist in serving high school students to equip them to pass the MCAS and to do well on the SAT. It is our belief that by providing students with academic assistance and test-taking skills, we can equip them to pass the MCAS and to score well on the SAT. We anticipate that by providing students with test-taking skills, we can prevent them from dropping out due to failing the test, and we can assist them in doing well on the SAT.
Activity 2: Provide students with academic and homework assistance and mentoring.
TMB Members provide academic enrichment and college prep activities to assist youth with meeting graduation requirements. TMB Members are involved in providing some combination of tutoring, homework help and mentoring.
Activity 3: Provide students with college counseling.
TMB Members are involved in providing college readiness workshops and college advising. One example of the college counseling activities that the TMB Members will implement is the “MyRoad” program provided by the College Board on the Web. This program provides a Web based assessment tool to assist teens in mapping out their college and career plans as well as directly connecting them with college application programs and financial aid.
Activity 4: Provide students with assistance in completing college applications.
TMB Members also assist the teens with applying to college, giving them an important boost toward their future success.
Program Support Services Goals and Objectives:
Goal: To provide the resources and training sites needed to operate effective programs.
Objectives:
175 volunteers will serve at our Sites and provide 2,750 hours of service (this represents an increase from 150 volunteers and 2,250 hours last year)
200 additional volunteers will be recruited to serve in other community- and faith-based organizations (this represents an increase from 100 volunteers last year)
85% of Sites receiving a volunteer and completing a survey will indicate the volunteer caused positive organizational change
$75,000 worth of in-kind donations will be secured for our sites (this represents an increase from $50K last year)
Activities for Program Support Services
Our TMB program also helps to provide Sites with the resources they need to operate effective programs. In particular, TMB assists with volunteer and work study student coordination, capacity building training and providing equipment that Sites need to operate their programs.
Activity 1: Recruit volunteers to assist with providing services in afterschool programs.
Our TechMission Boston Members assist Sites in recruiting and managing volunteers and work study students to assist in operating their programs. We also provide training sessions to support our volunteers and to equip them to effectively serve in our programs. Each TMB Member will post volunteer opportunities for their Site online using the TechMission Volunteer Network website. Potential volunteers can search this website for opportunities by location, service area or skill.
Activity 2: Secure in-kind donations for programs.
TMB Members will help build the capacity of their individual sites by researching and securing in-kind donations of software, equipment and other resources. We have currently secured a partnership with a leading group purchasing and resource management organization which provides discounts on products and services, which could reduce Site administrative costs by up to 20%.
Project Work Plan:
The program year runs from September through August, to coincide with the beginning of the school year. The TechMission Corps Members are recruited year round, however most placements are made in September (unless a vacancy arises during the program).
April – July | Major push for recruitment; interviews are conducted with TMC and then with Site Staff. |
August | Placements are made; multi-day orientation/training is confirmed |
September | Multi-day orientation/training takes place; TMC Members report to their Sites for Site orientation |
October – June | Programs in full swing: K-8 and teen afterschool participants receive academic enrichment and technology instruction at their Sites. |
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