Join us for CTEP's civic engagement presentations
Every year our CTEP AmeriCorps members choose community action projects that make a contribution to bridging the digital divide. Please join us on Friday, August 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, where our members will share their accomplishments and struggles in creating community change through their projects. Feel free to swing by earlier for informal networking starting at 9 a.m; bagels and coffee will be served.
The Saint Paul Neighborhood Network’s AmeriCorps program, the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the “digital divide” for immigrant communities, low-income residents and persons with disabilities in the Twin Cities. AmeriCorps members help youth and adults use technology to access social, civic, educational and economic opportunities.
Read more about what CTEP members did in their 2017 Civic Engagement Projects:
The Digital Homeroom
Consolidated online resources for students to learn computer skills through one website. CTEP members collaborated with Jen Vanek, a longtime advocate and researcher of digital literacy instruction for English language learners. The Digital Homeroom website hosts online learning tools such as videos, infographics, and interactive games. Community Partner: University of Minnesota Researcher, School of Education.
Net Inclusion 2017
Contributed to the local Net Inclusion 2017 planning committee and helped organize the logistics of a two-day conference. The conference was hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and the St. Paul Public libraries in downtown Saint Paul in May and attracted local, national, and international digital equity advocates. Community Partner: National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
Make Sense with Cents
Conducted three digital and financial literacy workshops at both the Brooklyn Park and Roseville libraries. The workshops introduced participants to topics such as budgeting in Excel, online banking, understanding credit scores, and investment options.Community Partner: Roseville Public Library and Brooklyn Park Library.
Stop! Animate!
Stop! Animate! is the second annual summer animation camp for youth in the Twin Cities. Our focus is on engaging youth voices through fun and hands on media making. Community Partner: Project for Pride in Living.
Food & Technology
Met weekly to cook and teach photography and blogging to teens from Common Bond, a public housing non-profit. The teens cooked with veggies from the community garden and we collaborated to put together a blog about their kitchen adventures. Community Partner: Common Bond.
Twin Cities Techettes
Led two week-long summer camps for teen girls interested in pursuing STEM fields. The camps provided a space for the teens to explore a variety of STEM skills, collaborate on projects, and hear from women in the community working in STEM fields. The teens received laptops donated by MN Computers for Schools upon completion of the camp. Community Partners: Arlington Hills, Maplewood Public Library, and MN Computers for Schools.
Forms of Pride
Conducted a week-long summer camp for teens participating in the LGBT host program at the Avenues for Homeless Youth. The camp focused on eliciting narratives from the LGBT community through digital storytelling. Community Partner: Avenues for Homeless Youth LGBT Host Program.
Music and U Songwriting Experience (MUSE)
Engaged youth ages 7-12 in a week-long summer camp to help teenagers understand the musical composing and recording process through GarageBand, studio work, and their creative input. Community Partner: Arlington Hills Community Center.