TechMission Receives $10,000 from Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation is partnering with TechMission Boston to address the advancement of K-12 education, specifically using technology tools such as Thinkfinity.org for after-school program Sites.

Stephanie Lee, Regional Director of Public Affairs for the Verizon Foundation, recently visited Greenwood Shalom After-School Program, a TechMission Boston Site to present the grant award. The TechMission Boston program partners with the Black and Latino community to place AmeriCorps Members at partnering after-school program Sites in Boston in order to help Black and Latino and low-income youth succeed in school and get into college. The TechMission Boston program innovatively meets the needs of both the program Sites and their participants by providing AmeriCorps Members at program Sites to provide mentoring, academic enrichment, tech activities and/or college counseling to participants and capacity building services to Sites. 

“As a leader in innovation in technology, Verizon is a natural fit with TechMission as a leader in innovative, tech-equipped after-school programs. Verizon’s Thinkfinity.org lesson plans are one of the best resources available to after-school programs,” said Andrew Sears, TechMission’s Executive Director. “With TechMission having the most visited Web portal for Black and Latino nonprofit leaders and faith-based social service organizations, we can connect these communities to Thinkfinity resources.” 

The recent passage of the Serve America Act will increase national service programs like AmeriCorps from 75,000 full-time positions to 250,000 positions. The additional AmeriCorps funding will enable TechMission Boston to grow by 50% this next year, but only because of grants from groups like the Verizon Foundation providing the matching funds. 

The $10,000 grant will be used to cover direct program expenses related to strengthening and maintaining this expansion, and will provide the matching funds for 3 AmeriCorps Members that will serve 72 youth. The Verizon Funds will be matched by $38,146 from AmeriCorps and $8,912 from sites.  

In 2007-08 school year, TechMission Boston Members served more than 200 disadvantaged youth in K-8 after-school programs five days a week, providing academic enrichment and technology activities at their Service Sites. The program uses a computerized tutoring and assessment program that can test all students to identify the specific areas of tutoring and support they need. Members also provide tech activities to help youth succeed in our computer-driven society. Lessons may include Thinkfinity lesson plans, PowerPoint, digital photography, web design, basic typing, internet research skills and online safety.