Letter From the Director

Thanks for visiting our web site!

When I founded the Neighborhood Technology Center in 2000, I wanted to make it the center's mission to provide the local community with access to digital technologies. We have attempted to achieve this goal by creating and supporting programs that are relevant to individuals and organizations, contributing to their digital proficiency to make them socially and economically independent.

As we enter our fifth year of our existence, I am very excited about our future. With plans to complete a wireless project by 2007 in one of our CTC communities, we are bringing high speed broadband to underserved communities in partnership with the Center for Neighborhood Technology. We are also assisting in the creation of a new community center with an integrated computer technology center at LeClaire Courts Apartments, a Chicago Housing Authority development which we hope to see open by the fall of 2004. Currently at both the West Town and North Lawndale sites we are launching new summer programs for kids ages 6-14. Participating children will not only take part in computer activities, such as writing their own newsletter, but also community and education activities, such as growing and harvesting their own garden.

All of this could not have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of my staff, as well as the support and interest of surrounding community members and local organizations. We are creating public spaces that encourage the use of technology and facilitate community connections. I encourage you not only to explore our website, but also to visit us at one of our locations, Homan Square or Northwest Tower Apartments.

We are most appreciative to Caxy Consulting (www.caxy.com) in the design and launch of our new web presence. Thank you Mike LaVista for your great work, and creative mind.

Hope to see you soon,

Nicol Turner Lee, PhD