Lawndale Legacies Community Technology Center 

In 2000, LCDC opened the Lawndale Legacies CTC with funding from the Freddie Mac Foundation.

Every year the Digital Divide (the difference and the distance between those who have access to life-enhancing technology and those who don’t) grows larger, both in the African American population as a whole and in North Lawndale specifically. Increasingly, employment and lifestyle hinge upon a person’s access to technology. Those who are not adequately trained and functional in basic computer and related technologies find themselves unable to live the lives they wish to, or even take care of everyday necessities.

The purpose of LLCTC is to decrease the Digital Divide in North Lawndale by providing community-based computer technologies-related training facilities and programs that seek to build self-sufficiency in individuals and overcome the cycle of poverty, discrimination and isolation.

Every year, more than 300 community residents take advantage of academic enrichment software; Internet access; computer courses in PC use, Microsoft applications, web design, digital media, and the assistance of well-trained volunteers.

During the summer, the Tech Center partners with the Garden, Lawndale Community Church’s program for K-8th graders. The curriculum includes Internet Research, Desktop Publishing, Written Communications, Music Composition and HTML Programming. We also partner with the City of Chicago’s After School Matters initiative to offer students paid internships that teach valuable life skills.

Throuhout the year, LLCTC offers an ever-increasing range of classes. For 2008, this range includes:

Introduction to Personal Computing (Basic Computer Workshop): This 6 week course is designed for the very beginner who has little or no experience using computers of the internet. Classes focus on how to use the computer, Microsoft Office basics, and how to use the Internet safely.
COST: Free

Senior Surfers: This is the Introduction to Personal Computing for Seniors (50+): This 8 week course is paced slower for greater understanding of the basics, and focuses on how to use the computer, and how to use the Internet Safely.
COST: Free

Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3):

This 8 week course is for intermediate users who have more than a basic understanding of computers, Office applications, and the Internet. It teaches advanced topics in Computer hardware and software, Using the Internet as a lifestyle, and Microsoft Office Applications. Those who graduate will earn a globally recognized certification that is valuable to employers and can count as college credit.                   

COST: To Be Announced

A+ Certification: This course (cost and duration to be announced)

is the most advanced class, for those who either graduated from the IC3 course, or have sufficient knowledge in computers and related technologies. It is the industry standard for Computer Technicians, and typical graduates may earn $60k per year upon graduation.

Junior Achievement Titans (cost and duration to be announced): This completely web-based course is for young students grade 8th through 12th. It covers basic and vital financial and business concepts such as decision making, taxes, loans, budgets, employments, savings, and much more.

In addition to these fantastic class offerings, the state-of-the-art Computer lab is open to the public, 5 days a week. The lab is open Monday through Thursday from 12p.m. to 10p.m. It is also open on Saturday from 10a.m. to 2p.m.

For more information, please contact:

Lawndale Legacies Community Technology Center
Marlone Finley, Technology Manager
LCDC Administrative Offices
3843 West Ogden Ave.
Chicago, IL 60623-2451
773 . 762 . 8889 xt 21
mfinley@lcdc.net

What kind of technology does the Tech Center have?

The Tech Center is well equipped. We have 30 Dell SmallMiniTowers, ranging from 40 GB hard drives, 256 MB RAM models to 80 GB hard drive, 2GB RAM models. . All computers are networked through a server, and each is connected to the Internet via a T1 line. In addition, the centers has a scanner; a networked printer; two LCD projectors; and two digital cameras. Large overhead projection screens are used for instruction.