Community Technology Empowerment Project

The Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) AmeriCorps bridges the “digital divide” for new Immigrants and low-income communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. AmeriCorps members help youth and adults use technology to better access social, civic, educational and economic opportunities. CTEP is currently hiring for 30 full-time positions in the metro area, which will start September 2013 and complete August 2014.

by Kate Trigger, CTEP AmeriCorps Member

As the chilled winds of winter blew on the morning of February 15th, several CTEP members traded in their dress pants and Google Docs for plaid shirts and caulking guns. I had woken at a very early hour ready to strap on my boots and get to work at one of three Habitat for Humanity sites that CTEP served at that day.

By John Gustafson, CTEP AmeriCorps Member

The Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) is now seeking host sites for the 2013-14 Program Year. CTEP, an AmeriCorps program of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, aims to address issues of the Digital Divide. Since 2004, CTEP has operated in the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. Our members work in programs as diverse as job services organizations, community media centers, and local libraries.

Last week, our CTEP AmeriCorps members met at CLUES in Minneapolis to discuss the important work of curriculum development. Joined by professionals from a variety of local non-profits, as well as CTEP alumni, members spent the day learning how to plan curriculum for youth and adults, how to handle difficult situations, and how to best connect with students.

The Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) AmeriCorp Program is SPNN’s largest program, helping bridge the digital divide for thousands of people in the Twin Cities through community service. Each fall, 30 people dedicate a year of their lives to working on technology with diverse populations at a variety of non-profit spaces.

Every year, 30 CTEP AmeriCorps members serve across Saint Paul and Minneapolis teaching about technology literacy for social, civic and economic empowerment with low-income families, New Americans, and residents with disabilities.

Earlier this month, CTEP AmeriCorps members descended upon the Rondo Community Library for the 5th annual DigiDaze community technology fair. Bringing together a wide variety of organizations and projects that strive to make technology more accessible to everyone, this year’s DigiDaze was a great success.

Throughout the CTEP program year, members participate in two retreats-one in the Fall and one in the Spring. For our CTEP's Spring overnight retreat we headed to the fresh outdoors! Member carpooled from the Twin Cities Metro area and arrived at Philadelphia Farms, located in beautiful Osceola, WI on June 1st.

Each year, the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) AmeriCorps program recruits thirty AmeriCorps members for a year of service in organizations with technology based programs in the Twin Cities. Through their service, these members learn a wealth of new skills in many topics- everything from youth instruction techniques to how to use innovative new software. Twice a year members come together for a Corps Day to share their new skills with one another.