College of Business Administration

Community Application of Business Principles

Project Proposal:

Project Intent:
To solicit 100 or more businesses in San Diego for surplus, used operating computers for a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers job training and educational opportunities for young adults who come from disadvantaged families, and under-served communities with limited or lack of access to computer technology and education.

Background:
As we enter the new millennium, the need for computer literacy among our communities' disadvantaged young adults is critical. Without computer literacy at the most basic level, these young adults will most certainly not be able to compete in the workplace or be employable. The time is now to create opportunities for these young adults to be given the assistance they need through the facilitation of work-learn environments and educational programs. To that end, I have made a commitment to assist in providing these young adults and/or their families the availability of computer equipment.

Urban Corps of San Diego (UCO):
Urban Corps of San Diego's education program requires approximately 80 young adults a month to attend a mandatory 8 hours per week of education, consisting of academic curriculum (basic math, science, reading skills). This mandatory 8 hours will include dedicated computer learning and literacy. Currently, UCO is unable to offer a computer learning program due to the lack of computer equipment and software. By establishing a computer laboratory, these young adults will be provided with opportunities to learn basic computer skills, as well as how to access the Internet.

Project Implementation and Benefit:
One of the missing components of the UCO's job training program is to provide computer skills to the population they serve. With the computerization of the work force and continued advancement of technology, it is incumbent upon community-based organizations to broaden their job training spectrum to include marketable skills for an otherwise blue-collar worker. It is my hope with this project to acquire several computer systems and develop a program manual outlining basic computer skills at the adult basic education level. This will allow approximately 1000 disadvantaged young adults who are enrolled in the program to gain computer skills while learning hands-on job training, and afford their families the opportunity to learn the same at their convenience.

These individuals would not seek this type of training on their own. By my effort in facilitating the introduction of computer learning curriculum into their practical field experience and work and learning environments, the benefit could be invaluable to these young adults, their families and ultimately the community at large and the greater employable work force. By giving these young adults the training that the larger "advantaged" young adult population receives, these individuals have an increased chance to be productive citizens and are better able to give back to the community.

Return to Professor Dunn's home page.