Imagine not being able to log on any time of the day or night. Not being able to do research online at will, send e-mails, visit Sticks of Fire, start a blog of your own, a Web site, print out a homework project, a letter, a resume. It’s hard for many of us to remember those pre-computer times.
But Ralph Smith is reminded of them every day while working with folks who don’t have FIOS, or WiFi, and don’t have broadband. And no, these folks don’t have dial-up. In fact, they do not even have a PC.
And there are plenty of them. The shortage of computer access in Hillsborough County was noted Monday in a story in the Trib by Anthony McCartney. It seems that so many people come to one of the Tampa-Hillsborough public libraries to use the free computers that the system will soon limit users to a two-hour a day maximum.
Smith recognized lack of access about 10 years ago, even before computers became pretty much ubiquitous in all but the most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Then in IT at Citibank, Smith saw that the growing opportunities – information, connection, work opportunities (including well-paying technology jobs) – offered by cyberspace were not available to many low-income families.
He also noticed that there weren’t many black or brown faces in IT departments.
So he did what far too few do: Tried to change things.
The results is the Computer Mentor program based in a small building at 2802 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in East Tampa.
Computer Mentors offers computer access and training to the entire community, but focuses primarily on teens. There is no shortage of 
eager students of all ages, but there are no resources for expansion. Space and hardware are in short supply. So are volunteers – and, of course, money.
Smith and the group do have some impressive sponsors but more are needed. If you can assist with money, a building, some time, some hardware, visit this link.
Tommy and I spent a couple of hours with Smith last week. He’s a sweet guy with a huge heart and big dreams.
Help him give a hand up to a needy community if you can.
Junior
2 years ago
Judy Hill,I MISS YOUR COLUMNS-WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY TRANSPORTATION FOR EQUALITY FOR ALL WHO WANT TO USE COMPUTERS AND WANT TO BECOME BLOGGERS,OR DO THEIR TERM PAPERS, OR JUST E-MAIL. I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU BROUGHT UP LIBRARIES-MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME-WE WILL CAUSE MORE DISTRACTION FROM LEARNING THAN EVER BEFORE-AND LOSE READERS WHO CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY BOOKS AT VARIOUS PRICES AND DO NOT FORGET MY VERY FAVORITE REFERENCE BOOKS FOR SCHOOL WORK AND PLAIN EDUCATION FOR ALL. LET US NOT FORGET THAT IT WILL TAKE AWAY EARLY VOTERS. I CAN ONLY SAY WE HAVE TO ALL VOTE ABSENTEE FOR A PAPER TRAIL-OR-WE CAN START A PETITION TO NOT TAKE AWAY EARLY VOTING FROM OUR LIBRARIES ETC. ETC, ETC,COME ON JUDY START THE BANDWAGON GOING. I WILL HELP ANYWAY I CAN.
Jim Johnson
2 years ago
Judy… Here are some interesting statistics for you…
* 81% of all US households have at least one computer
* 56% of those with annual household incomes under $30,000 have a computer at home
* 75% of the country has broadband internet access… including 39% of households with less than $50,000 in income…
* 45% of households with annual incomes below $30,000 subscribe to an Internet service at home
Although there is, and will be for the foreseeable future, a digital divide — it’s growing smaller and smaller.
Judy Hill
2 years ago
Hey, Jim. Thanks for the stats. I had some older numbers that indicate saturation not quite as impressive as those you report. I have to think that the Ralph Smiths of the world have helped improve things.
Gabs
2 years ago
Thanks for the info! My husband and I upgrade our computers every 3 years or so and it always annoys me how hard it is to find someone to donate our previous model to. I’ve contacted numerous organizations in the past and never heard back from ANYONE, so I just dropped them off at the nearest Salvation Army as a last resort. I much rather donate our systems (which are pretty up to date) to someone who actually needs it. Right now we have a fast pentium 4 PC with windows xp just sitting in our garage… I’ll call Computer Mentors today to see if they can use it. Thanks again!!!
Judy Hill
2 years ago
Hey. Thanks! When you call, tell them you saw it on Sticks.
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » computer mentors reaches out to academy prep
2 years ago
[...] wrote about Computer Mentors on Sticks of Fire a few weeks back. If you’re not familiar with Academy Prep, take a gander at the [...]