It’s been a busy year for
ITEC, Lansing’s Information Technology Empowerment Center. Since the non-profit
moved into their headquarters at the Foster Community Center a year ago, the organization has added one part-time and two full-time employees, not to mention a host of new programs and partnerships.
“We’ve been growing by leaps and bounds,” says ITEC Executive Director Kirk Riley. “All of ITEC’s programs are done by contract individuals. One any given day, the number is about ten contractors that are doing programs here at the Foster Community center and out in the community.”
In addition to their afterschool programs and Everyday Digital classes, which teach novice computer users basic computer skills, ITEC has partnered with a number of local organizations to expand their programming, including the YMCA of Lansing, Lansing Community College and the City of Lansing.
A recent partnership with the Lansing School District will soon bring a new afterschool math program, iMath, to fourth and sixth grade students.
“It’s a major undertaking by ITEC,” says Riley, “a new direction and new program.”
In addition, ITEC has partnered with the City of Lansing’s Office of Community Media, working with Michigan Creative to provide the educational component of Lansing Public Media Center's efforts. ITEC has also started a small operation in Flint in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, Flint Community Schools and the Northeast Village Neighborhood.
“We rely on and benefit from our partnerships,” says Riley. “We are all about being stronger by working together. Without other organizations’ contributions, ITEC would not able to do what we do.”
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