NTRC - Volunteers

Welcome to the NTRC!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Neighborhood Technology Resource Center. The NTRC is a relatively small organization, with plenty of opportunities for volunteers who have new ideas, as well as a desire to serve Chicago's underserved communities.

Our Locations
The NTRC is a community technology center with two computer labs in Chicago. Our inaugural site, established in February 2000, is located in an affordable housing project in West Town called the Northwest Tower. This site houses 12 computers equipped with Windows XP, as well as high quality printers, a scanner, and other equipment. Our newest site, established in 2001, is located in a brand new community center in the Homan Square redevelopment area of North Lawndale. The Homan Square site employs an innovative system, with 25 thin clients connected to a Citrix mainframe.

Our Mission
Working with the local community, the NTRC's mission is to position digital technologies as tools for individual, organizational and community growth and development. The NTRC accomplishes this mission by creating and supporting programs that are relevant to individuals and organizations, contribute to their digital proficiency and make them socially and economically independent.

Our Vision
Our long term vision is that local citizens, community organizations, churches and businesses will have access to and the necessary knowledge of digital technologies and its benefits.

Our Programmatic Focus
Our programmatic focus has been to use digital technology to: (a) increase literacy and educational competency among youth, adults and organizations; (b) enhance training, employment goals and outcomes for long-term career development; and (c) strengthen organizational infrastructure to facilitate growth and development.

NTRC Programs
Below is a list of current and ongoing NTRC programs. If you are interested in a program that does not have a specific volunteer opportunity attached, NTRC staff would be happy to discuss other options with you.

	Youth
		Youth Entrepreneurship Project: A comprehensive youth program that uses online tools to teach youth, ages 12 through 18, how to start and operate a small business. This program is in partnership with Family Focus Lawndale and the 10th District YouthNet. (Homan Square) Youth Multimedia Development Project: A comprehensive program geared towards integrating field trips with basic and advanced technology training for school-age youth. Student projects have included web sites of favorite animals, short story publications, etc. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) After School Homework Assistance Clinic: A drop-in program designed to assist school-age youth, grades K-12, with homework assignments and to provide instruction on technology tools that can assist in research and skill practice. Students are also provided with special exercises that are geared towards basic skills development. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) Service Learning Internships: A comprehensive program designed to engage school-age youth, grades 6-12, with access to the lab for the completion of community service hours and customized service learning projects. Students undertaking these internships have worked as lab assistants, trainers, technical assistants and after school tutors. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) Career Development Workshops: A series of career development workshops that provide individuals with resume preparation, cover letter development, interviewing tips and techniques and career assessment tools. These workshops also provide job search tools and motivational workshops. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) High School to College Preparation: This workshop provides high school students with general assistance on identifying and securing college information, financial aid and scholarships. This program is in partnership with the North Lawndale IDA/Save Up program. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) GEM-SET: This program targets in-school girls, ages 13-18 to encourage their interest in science, technology and computer science careers. This program is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau. (Northwest Tower)
	Adults
		Building Beyond: A comprehensive job readiness, information technology and telecommunications program geared towards out of school youth, ages 17-24, interested in developing their work skills. Participating youth also receive financial literacy training and behavioral skills development. This program is in partnership with the North Lawndale Employment Network. (Homan Square) Basic & Advanced Computer Training: A range of computer workshops that certify individuals on the entire MS Office Suite and additional popular software applications. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) Career Development Workshops: A series of career development workshops that provide individuals with resume preparation, cover letter development, interviewing tips and techniques and career assessment tools. These workshops also provide job search tools and motivational workshops. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) Literacy Extension Achievement Project (LEAP): This program is focused on basic skills development for out of school youth and adults. Using approved GED curriculum with online literacy tools, LEAP is interested in preparing individuals for successful completion of the GED examination. (Homan Square)
	Community
		Small Business Training: Small business financial management; business plan development; business financing are all topics discussed in this area. Working in partnership with the Lawndale Local Business Development Corporation, the NTRC provides small business training. (Homan Square) Non-Profit Technical Assistance Training: These series of workshops assist individuals and organizations with state incorporation, federal recognition of 501(c)(3) status and how to identify funding opportunities. These workshops also provide grant writing assistance, program monitoring and evaluation, and organizational development assistance. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square) NTRC Business Xpress^TM: Using program graduates, we are able to provide a range of business services ranging from fax and copying to document creation (e.g., business cards, stationary, envelopes, etc.). We also rent professional business equipment with a minimal deposit required. (Northwest Tower/Homan Square)