Envisioning an Internet Envisioning an Internet Center For People Who are Center For People Who are

HomelessHomeless

Presented by Rebecca OrrickPresented by Rebecca Orrick

Research Assistant, Center for Urban and Research Assistant, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at Open Access Regional Affairs at Open Access ConnectionsConnections

Why It mattersWhy It matters

Connecting to ResourcesConnecting to Resources Finding Employment and HousingFinding Employment and Housing Becoming Civically EngagedBecoming Civically Engaged Building CommunityBuilding Community

Research TopicsResearch Topics

Inventory of Current CentersInventory of Current Centers

What People think of their Current AccessWhat People think of their Current Access

What to Keep in Mind about Design of What to Keep in Mind about Design of CenterCenter

MethodologyMethodology

Internet research/Follow up Calls with Internet research/Follow up Calls with AgenciesAgencies

Computer Center VisitsComputer Center Visits Open Ended SurveysOpen Ended Surveys Broadcast message surveyBroadcast message survey Focus GroupsFocus Groups Interviews Interviews

Study LimitationsStudy Limitations

Status of internet centers are constantly Status of internet centers are constantly changingchanging

Random Sample not an optionRandom Sample not an option Limited time, broad focusLimited time, broad focus

InventoryInventory

151151 Community Technology Centers Community Technology Centers

MinneapolisPop 380,00097 Centers

St. PaulPop 290,0054 Centers

Type of CentersType of Centers

Shelters, Transitional Housing Sites, Drop Shelters, Transitional Housing Sites, Drop In Centers (33)In Centers (33)

Parks and Recreation Centers (32)Parks and Recreation Centers (32) Libraries (28)Libraries (28)

Limitations of Current AccessLimitations of Current Access

Huge variety in hours, rules, restrictions of use, Huge variety in hours, rules, restrictions of use, extent to which it is public or only for clients- extent to which it is public or only for clients- HARD TO NAVIGATE!HARD TO NAVIGATE!

Lack of Knowledge of other options besides Lack of Knowledge of other options besides librarieslibraries

Many are not close to current shelters (while Many are not close to current shelters (while many shelters are located in downtown many shelters are located in downtown areas/many CTCs are not)areas/many CTCs are not)

Better access in Minneapolis, than St. PaulBetter access in Minneapolis, than St. Paul Task Specific Task Specific

One SolutionOne Solution

http://tlc-mn.org/ctc

Perception of Access?Perception of Access?

Typical QuoteTypical Quote

““I’m 45 years old, and I don’t know anything about I’m 45 years old, and I don’t know anything about computers. One of the problems that I have computers. One of the problems that I have when I go to the job centers, is that when I try to when I go to the job centers, is that when I try to put an application in, it’s hard for me to do put an application in, it’s hard for me to do because I don’t know anything about computers. because I don’t know anything about computers. I mean nothing, the only thing I know how to do I mean nothing, the only thing I know how to do is how to turn it on. If you have someone on site is how to turn it on. If you have someone on site who could really help you, I mean, [help you] log who could really help you, I mean, [help you] log on to what you really want to log on to, that on to what you really want to log on to, that would be good. I mean I think that’s why I don’t would be good. I mean I think that’s why I don’t have a job, it’s because I’m a nursing assistant, have a job, it’s because I’m a nursing assistant, and it’s hard for me to do an online application.”and it’s hard for me to do an online application.”

Wide Range of ResponsesWide Range of Responses

““Mostly my experiences have been EXCELLENT! Mostly my experiences have been EXCELLENT! Computers are SUPER FAST, but when the Computers are SUPER FAST, but when the libraries are full, the experience is upsetting to libraries are full, the experience is upsetting to wait for a computer.”wait for a computer.”

““Library, yes, need way more than one hour to get Library, yes, need way more than one hour to get anything done”anything done”

““No computer skills!” No computer skills!”

What Would you like to see in an What Would you like to see in an Internet Center???Internet Center???

Desire for a Place with…Desire for a Place with…

HelpHelp More Hours Open/More Convenient HoursMore Hours Open/More Convenient Hours Place to go outside 9-5 hoursPlace to go outside 9-5 hours

Characteristics to Consider in Characteristics to Consider in DesignDesign

Walking distance from sheltersWalking distance from shelters Safety/SecuritySafety/Security Staff trained in conflict resolution and Staff trained in conflict resolution and

mental illnessmental illness Open during gaps in service Open during gaps in service

ConclusionConclusion

Need for more places that cater specifically Need for more places that cater specifically to needs of Homeless individualsto needs of Homeless individuals

-Times-Times

-Help -Help

-Remedial education-Remedial education

-Close to shelters-Close to shelters

-Flexible activity-Flexible activity

RecommendationsRecommendations

Get the Word OutGet the Word Out Work on Expanding Access in downtown Work on Expanding Access in downtown

areas and St. Paulareas and St. Paul

Additional OptionsAdditional Options

Mobile Computer labMobile Computer lab

Expand Netbook Lending LibraryExpand Netbook Lending Library

TThe Endhe End

Thank you for listening!Thank you for listening!