Knowledge & Grants DIGEST

[Monica Biswas]

Message 1:
From: EllenBetit at aol.com

It was wonderful to make your acquaintence through your message.   Your
English skills are wonderful!!  I work with children and families here in
Utah (a western state in the United States).  Most of our families struggle
to provide for their children, although the level of need is not as severe
as what your country is dealing with right now.   My job is to do grant
writing for our organization.  At times I see grant opportunities for
programs in other countries.  I will watch for their listings and alert you
to possibilities.

Perhaps the children I work with here might be able to communicate with
children in Romania.  We have computers available or children could write
letters and send pictures.

I look forward to communicating with you again in the future.

Ellen Betit
South Valley Community Boys and Girls Clubs
P. O. Box 57071
Murray, Utah   84157
801-284-4248   FAX  801-288-2225

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Message 2:
From: "Jason Posada" <jposada at heartofla.org>

Anca,
  How are you? My name is Jason Posada and I am an administrator at Heart
of Los Angeles Youth (HOLA) in Los Angeles, California USA. I am interested
in helping you with your delinquency problem at your university. Please
tell me more as to what you have encountered in order for me to provide you
with a better answer.

About us, HOLA is a Youth Center that serves inner-city youth ages 6 -19
and provides fine art, athletics and educational programming. I hope to
hear from you soon.

 - Jason

Jason Posada
CLC Administrator

Heart of Los Angeles Youth (HOLA)
2701 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90057
voice (213) 389-1148 ext 227
fax     (213) 389-1085
http://www.heartofla.org

--------------------------------------------
Message 3:
From: "Karen Miller" <KMiller at NRPA.org>

Hi Everyone,

I'm writing on behalf of the National Recreation and Park Association
(NRPA).  We have been looking for ways to collaborate on exactly this
subject for some time now.  We have a cooperative infrastructure (community
programs and centers) within communities to bring the technology to the
youth.  Your very own public park and recreation department is a perfect
candidate for this kind of collaboration.  In fact, we already have a
partnership with SeniorNet.  NRPA and SeniorNet are partnering to bring
SeniorNet Learning Centers to parks and recreation agencies. SeniorNet
Learning Centers are thriving places run by seniors for seniors, never
short of students and filled with enthusiasm! When you bring SeniorNet to
the seniors of your community, you are bringing a wonderful program that
will that connect them to the world of computers and beyond.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to bring the two generations together via
technology.  We're open to any suggestions and ideas that anyone has.  I'm
looking forward to hearing from you.

Karen Miller
NRPA
Director of Citizen Development
800-883-3002
www.nrpa.org

--------------------------------------------
Message 4:
From: "Pam.Meier" <Pam.Meier at target.com>

Greetings Tony!

Thanks for the opportunity to share our thoughts with you -- the conference
sounds very exciting!

As we think about expansion of the Tibetan Video Workshop Series throughout
the US/Canada and internationally, we've had some initial discussions
around the following thoughts.  I also asked my co-worker, Dennis McGill (a
very
big picture thinker!) for some input as well -- here it goes:

How do we identify appropriate partnerships overseas:
*  Who are the specific organizations
*  What is the appropriate objective (human rights, cultural, education,
recreational)
*  What is the best process of communication during initial program
development (method, frequency, collaboration/ agreement).

Other things more specifically to your challenges might include:
Sheer availability of technology as well as the compatibility of hardware,
software, etc., and international requirements/standards.

Accessing funding (government, community, corporate, foundation/fellowship,
private) and complexities of international exchange.

When dealing with politically oppressed countries/groups of people, how can
physical safety be ensured of those involved (individuals/family/friends)
when dealing with controversial challenging messages?  (Note recent Chinese
blockage of websites that are found in conflict with government policy).

How does one ensure program consistencies at an international level (i.e.,
implementation, funding, community involvement, technological
compatibilities, what are the arenas/platforms of each organization to make
the information accessible to both parties, broader community, etc.)

When dealing with international linkages, we've found many of our stumbling
blocks tend to go back to the cultural subtleties of a dominant culture
dealing with an indigenous culture.  This comes up in style/method of
communication, timing/sense of urgency, subtle cultural cues,
communication/power structure of decision makers, etc.).  Therefore, is
using a model of communication most appropriate?

What are the measurements of success?

How does one ensure the sustainability of the original/revised program
objectives?

How does one ensure youth really has a voice when the development of the
infrastructure and implementation may end up to be driven by adults?

One of the websites that probably has already faced some of these issues is
www.witness.org -- maybe they could be a good resource?

Again, thanks for the opportunity to respond -- safe travels!

Pam Meier
612.696.3259
pam.meier at target.com

Michael Pittman
pitt0230 at yahoo.com
612.237.9166

--------------------------------------------
Message 5:
From: "Everall, Mick" <EveralM at talgov.com>

Dear Ms. Pop,

My name is Mick Everall, I work for the City of Tallahassee, Florida.
U.S.A.

I am the Director of Learning and Technology Centers. It is my job to bring
computer and technology access to children and young adults that are at
risk. This is more often referred to as the " Digital Divide" or the
technology "have and have nots".

We create Computer Learning Centers in areas that do not have the resources
in their Schools, or Homes, etc.
Over the last few years our projects have received a great deal of
attention, so much so we are working Internationally now.

If you like I will send some information about what we do, and some of the
groups we work with.  As luck would have it, I was just finishing a
proposal to one of our funding sources. The United States Agency for
International Development (USAID).
They sponsor projects just like yours all over the world.  With your
permission I would like to request we work together to help solve a problem
that is becoming far too common world wide.

I will forward your e-mail to the USAID and explain we are starting
discussions on a possible project together.
After you learn more about our efforts in narrowing the Digital Divide we
may be able to start some projects in your country.

All the best,
Mick Everall

<p>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
YouthLearn ( http://www.youthlearn.org ) brings together youth
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