Computer Club

Date: 06/28/2005

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Computer Club
by MARY NEVANS-PEDERSON



Dubuque -- At least one decidedly un-tech-savvy visitor was amazed at the scene and the sounds Monday in the Technology Center of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dubuque.
Young teens were building computers - an activity most people consider esoteric and arcane. But these youngsters were buzzing around tables piled with computers cases and internal parts, fitting them together with ease, then testing the end product successfully.
"There we go ... it works," said Tyler Kemp, giving a high-five to another boy who helped him rebuild and test a computer. Kemp, 14, of Dubuque, is the president of the local chapter of the ClubTech team, a national initiative sponsored by Microsoft and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
It's another local program that is funded through the United Way Services of Dubuque.
Kemp and the other team members work on computers as part of the club's "Computers for Members Program," in which donated older model computers are repaired and fitted with new operating systems. These rehabbed computers are then either given directly to low-income club members or used to replace older tech center computers, which then are offered to the low-income members.
"It's a great way to recycle your old computer," said Dan Reiter, who has served as the tech center's director for about 10 years. The club has given away nearly 50 computers so far.
There are strict guidelines for receiving a computer however. To be eligible, the club members must complete several learning programs, perform 30 hours of community service in the tech center and have no discipline problems for two months.
Reiter, who builds his own home computers, trained Kemp who teaches other club members how to rebuild computers. The ClubTech team also repairs club members' computers, maintains the computer system (and the computers) for the entire Boys and Girls Club complex and has networked all the building's computers to a single hub.
"A lot of these kids wouldn't have anything to do in the summer, if the tech center wasn't open," explained Nick Jones, 19, the center's assistant director. "There's usually a pretty good crowd."
On Monday, each of the computer areas in the expansive, air-conditioned, noisy tech center was busy with kids playing computer games, looking up information or e-mailing friends. In addition to banks of computers, the center offers more than 250 software titles (60 percent for recreation and 40 percent for education).
The United Way Services of Dubuque supports the tech center and numerous other programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, including the first John Deere Camp held recently. This year's United Way contribution to the club is $184,186.
"Without the United Way, we wouldn't be able to keep the club's doors open, much less the have the tech center," Reiter said.


Copyright: Copyright 2005 Telegraph Herald