Welcome To Closing The Digital Gap

Making Computer Ownership, Computer Training, and Internet Access possible for all people.

Our mission is to provide low-income residents of the service area the opportunity to earn a computer, receive basic computer and Internet training and access, and assist them in making connections with community resources for further training that may lead to employment and/or educational enrichment for participants and their families.

The potential participant's must take and provide the results of a Reading and Writing Assessment test which can be taken at the LCC Assessment Center for free. They must fill out a simple one page application, provide a State ID and proof of income usually in the form of last years W-2 and/or Income Tax report. The report must show their name as well as the number in their household for which they provide support. This is used to determine their income qualification status. A telephone number must be provided that the participant can respond to within 24 hours.

The primary focus of this training is on Office Applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentation programs. In addition, the program establishes the skill set and habit of using e-mail services as a business communication tool.

Closing the Digital Gap (CTDG) has monthly classes year round.  The classes are four (4) weeks and are held Monday-Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the summer, then from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the rest of the year.  CTDG does special group workshops on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information call (517) 485-7581.

Most programs result in the participants receiving a computer system at the conclusion of the series provided they attend all of the structured class sessions as well as some of the Open Lab sessions. We will also arrange for one year of Free Dial-up Internet service from ACD.net provided they have phone service (a land line) in their home. 

 History

While our primary participants have been adults in the 20 to 35 year old age range either unemployed or working in low-income jobs, we have run pilot programs with several specific groups including the following:

* Origami program

* Foster Grandparent program

* H.O.P.E Scholars program.

* St. Vincent DePaul's Youth program

* Head Start Families, often young single mothers on assistance or working low-income jobs.

* Community Mental Health clients that have mental or physical challenges.

* Lansing School District youth identified as at-risk for becoming school drop-outs (6th grade to 12th grade).

* Refugees with minimal English language skills (primarily individuals from war torn countries sponsored by St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Lansing.)

* Brief training seminars to officials from Ghana, Africa which has also resulted in our providing over 300 computer systems and supplies for use in their schools.

* Computer skill development training for unemployed and under-employed WorkFirst Clients reporting to the Cedar Street Michigan Works facility and subsequent enrollment of many of these clients in the CTDG Port Of Entry, computer ownership program.

These programs were provided in cooperation with the indicated organizations for free or minimal cost to the agency. While we have successfully provided computer ownership to over a thousand families, the results of our efforts may not be realized for a few more years. At the very least, we have given these individuals and families a tool to improve their lifestyle and the opportunity to become part of the Global community.

About Us - General Organizational Information

This Lansing Area organization is a non-profit 501(c)3 economic development initiative funded by the City of Lansing, foundation grants and local contributions. The SeniorCorps program and the GM Job Bank provides some staffing. Several community organizations are represented on the board that provides strategic direction for CTDG.

The CTDG partnership includes representatives from ACDnet, Black Child and Family Institute, Capital Area District Library, Capital Area Service Center Head Start Program, City of Lansing, Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, Lansing Community College, Lansing School District, Michigan State University and New Horizons Computer Learning Center.

Local area businesses receive a tax deduction for donating their previously owned computers which are provided to qualified participants in the Lansing Area. Administrative headquarters is located in the Black Child and Family Institute at 835 West Genesee Street in Lansing Michigan.

 
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