CU-Ithaca Partnership and United Way offer nonprofits computer aid

Cornell senior Benedict Heinz, a communication major working for Computer Aid, installs network wiring at the Offender Aid and Restoration office on North Plain Street, Nov. 6. Nicola Kountoupes/University Photography

By Susan Lang

To address the technology and computer training needs of local nonprofit agencies, the Cornell-Ithaca Partnership (C-IP) has partnered with United Way of Tompkins County and its 40 member organizations to form Computer Aid.

"Bringing Cornell resources to assist the Ithaca community is a core part of our mission," said Patricia Pollak, associate professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell and the director of C-IP. "Computer Aid is a great example of bringing university resources to address a real community need."

The Cornell-Ithaca Partnership, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development- and Cornell University-funded Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC), is funding a Cornell student part time, to assist Ithaca nonprofits with their computer needs and technology challenges. Benedict Heinz, a Cornell senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majoring in communications, is the first student to work on the project. Using his communication technology background, Heinz will conduct computer diagnostics and training, install local area networks and troubleshoot computers and related technologies at local nonprofits. In addition, he will assist Ithaca area nonprofits with web-page design, assessing basic system needs and ways to maximize the capabilities of networking among agencies.

"This is a wonderful program for our member organizations. It will help build the capacity of nonprofits and be a huge cost savings for agencies that work on a tight budget," said James A. Brown, executive director of United Way of Tompkins County.

As of Nov. 26, the Cornell United Way Campaign has received $412,224.40 of its $525,000 goal.

The United Way of Tompkins and the Cornell United Way campaigns currently are in full swing. In addition to supporting immediate needs, United Way resources help prevent problems, as do agencies such as American Red Cross, Task Force for Battered Women and Child Sexual Abuse Project and the Center for Crime Victim and Sexual Assault Services. Explained LeNorman Strong, Cornell assistant vice president for student and academic services and this year's Cornell United Way Campaign chair: "Since there's more to life than emergencies, United Way donations also go to agencies such as the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), which provides a range of multicultural and recreational youth programs that focus on social and individual development, and the Day Care and Child Development Council, which provides resources and support services to day-care programs, teen-age parent and high risk families. This year -- now more than ever -- United Way needs your support to keep our local human services agencies proactive in giving neighbors a helping hand."

For more information on Computer Aid, contact the C-IP at 216-0510 or e-mail COPC@cornell.edu. For more information on the United Way or to obtain a pledge card, contact Karen Brown at ked13@cornell.edu or on the web at www.uwtc.org/give.asp.