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T.E.A.M.: A Response to At-Risk Youth Challenges
The TEAM Project in Montclair was initiated
through a collaboration of partners, including
the United Way of North Essex, Montclair State
University, Montclair Board of Education, and
Urban Tech. The partnership was developed to
address three fundamental needs of disadvantaged
and at-risk youth in Montclair:
- To ensure access to basic computer
proficiency and Internet technology through
Computer Learning Centers (CLC) throughout
the community.
- To facilitate access to technology at
home through a recycling and gifting program
for those in need who complete the CLC
training.
- To foster educational, technological,
and social enrichment that address community
issues, especially the achievement gap in
schools.
For over five years, the initiative has
been successful in its ability to increase
awareness and understanding of the existing
digital divide and achievement gap among
many of our youth in Montclair.
The TEAM Project installed and maintained
14 Community Learning Center labs. Since
TEAM’s inception, nearly 700 participants
have gained basic computer proficiency and
were gifted a computer. After-school
tutoring and homework help programs located
at the Community Learning Centers has
reached hundreds of at-risk students. |
