CAPE FEAR LITERACY COUNCIL
Yasmin Tomkinson, Executive Director of Cape Fear Literary Council, gave an update on the outcomes from their 2018 Grant at the 2019 annual WIN Awards Luncheon. Read more about the presentation here.
Cape Fear Literacy Council
2019: Midterm Progress update
note: All large grant recipients have a mid-term progress review in advance of recieving the second half of their grant. This allows WIN to offer any additional support that might be helpful to the recipient in completing their grant project, while maintaining a prudent level of oversight.
No sooner had CFLC received their grant, Hurricane Florence hit. In spite of some substantial obstacles, in the first 6 months some of their most notable accomplishments include:
- Offer on-site, instructor-led open labs and a Basic Computer Skills course at CFLC; integrate digital literacy into ESL and Citizenship classes;
- Purchase 9 lightweight, rugged laptops, updated software, a mobile hotspot and printer, as well as transportation equipment for our mobile lab, plus site certification from the Northstar Digital Assessment program to become an official testing/certification center for various computer skills such as basic skills, internet, email, social media, Windows, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Certify four volunteers and one staff member as proctors, create a training curriculum and Volunteer Handbook for computer volunteers and tutors, train 8 new volunteers and hold two workshops.
These elements reflect one the key reasons that WIN selected CFLC to be a large grant recipient: it is a coordinated approach to working through a range of service providers in the region to bring essential skills and tools to people.
The experience of one participant, Maura, demonstrates why this integrated approach is so powerful:
“I can’t believe how much support there is in this community
for people who really want to work - but I never knew about it!
I went to NC Works for help on my unemployment application.
They helped me and sent me to StepUp Wilmington to work on my resume
and employment skills. StepUp connected me with CFLC, and I got computer
help and a certification for Microsoft Word. I am also working on my Excel
certification.The best news is, I just got a job!”
A 2018 Large Grant Recipient, the Cape Fear Literary Council received $24,000 for its project “Digital Literacy: Bridging the Divide.” This effort will provide tailored computer instruction at appropriate levels to adults from diverse backgrounds in convenient locations around the county.
There are three major objectives for this project:
- To help bridge the digital divide in the Cape Fear Region, by employing a tailored program of classes, workshops and open labs in conjunction with a mobile lab;
- To connect and cooperate with local non-profits who serve individuals adversely affected by the digital divide by coordinating to meet digital literacy needs; and
- To raise awareness of local barriers/issues concerning digital literacy/digital divide and enlist local stakeholders and organizations to contribute to effective strategies/programs.