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Phyllis Wheatley Community Center

Partner Agency: Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Location(s): 1301 10th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Site Supervisor: Quanda Arch, DigitalTechWorks Academy Director

CTEP Program Description

The AmeriCorps Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the “digital divide” for new Immigrants and low-income communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Join AmeriCorps CTEP and help make the information age accessible to all.  CTEP is a project of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN).

Site History and Mission

For more than 96 years, PWCC has made a significant impact in our community and now we are focused on new and innovative youth development initiatives. Despite Minneapolis’ reputation as one of the most progressive, thriving cities in the country, it’s marked by some of the worst racial disparities of all major cities. Across the board, from housing and education to employment and income, significant and persistent opportunity gaps exist between white and Black citizens. However, one of the most significant problems for our younger generation is securing livable wage employment opportunities.

Through DigitalTech Works Academy, PWCC intends to lead the effort to (Re)Imagine a community that values diversity and provides equitable opportunities for all people through its the programs and services. Our approach to skilling is to identify opportunities gaps—digital literacy--in our community, that’s why we are launching and seeking support to leverage the PWCC DigitalTechWorks™ Academy, which is a program targeting youth ages 16-24 in STEM digital literacy technology. The digital technology campus will ensure advanced learning, opportunities for higher education, job security, livable wages for families, positioning home ownership, microbusinesses, access to capital, affordable health insurance, provide new technology careers in coding, robotics, gaming, and computer programming from a multi-billion-dollar industry - where entry level salaries are between $65K - $80K based on experience. It is our vision to “Create a community that is digitally literate and transformative for generations to come.”

Specific Site Responsibilities

  • Facilitate in person or virtual workshops for digital literacy including assessments, basic skills to basic Microsoft certifications for young adults.

  • Facilitate digital literacy for Seniors

  • Assist with planning and host Community STEAM/STEM events

  • Technology distribution for clients

  • Assist in planning and design of a girls coding program

  • Monitor the general info email for DigitalTechWorks Academy

Preferred Site Schedule for Member

Monday through Friday along with some Saturdays based on programming. Basic business hours but possible evening workshops and some Saturday.

In addition, members attend professional development days with their fellow CTEP members to enhance service-readiness skills, personal attributes at the service site, and citizenship skills.  These Corps days take place twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM, and these trainings are mandatory.  Members also attend statewide AmeriCorps events, such as the Martin Luther King Day celebration, and/or serve on the statewide InterCorps Council.

Site Environment

A few blocks away in several directions, PWCC is located just outside of downtown Minneapolis. CTEP member not required to have vehicle.

PWCC does offer adult programming based on CDC prevention requirements, EPA approved disinfectants, masks and glove wearing, sanitazing and social distancing. PWCC also runs our Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center based CDC health requirements.

How to Apply

Apply online at my.americorps.gov and click on “Apply to Serve” (be sure to search for the “Community Technology Empowerment Project” or “CTEP” when asked to indicate what program you would like to send your application to).  Contact: Lizzie Hutchins, hutchins@spnn.org, 651.298.8919.

We are committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.  Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request.  Alternative formats of this document are also available.