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School-Based Technology Volunteer Program Helps the Disadvantaged -- and its Student Volunteers By Robert G. Lubell Humanities Instructor Technical Career Institutes The Dare to Dream Project (DTD) was founded in 1993 at Technical Career Institutes (TCI), a private two-year technical college located one block to the west of Madison Square Garden. Supported by student volunteers at TCI, the program benefits charitable organizations throughout the five boroughs of New York City. DTD assists the physically challenged, the elderly, and the terminally ill. TCI students contribute their time and skills. Since its inception, the DTD Project has serviced over 50 charitable organizations, many on a continuing basis. How It Works DTD solicits donations of computers from individuals, small businesses, and major corporations. TCI students and faculty repair and upgrade the computers then donate them to developmentally disabled children, physically challenged individuals, and the terminally ill. In addition, DTD invites recipients' families and people with AIDS to participate in computer training conducted by TCI students. Computers are also given to community centers, public schools, veteran centers, and hospitals. Computer training courses have been established at Bailey House, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Special Care Unit, The Center for Children + Families – SafeSpace, Kings County Hospital, Rivington House, Sinergia, St. Ann's Church, and The Actors' Fund. Organizations that have donated to the program include Radio City Music Hall, The Supreme Court of New York, Metropolitan Life, Hunton and Williams, and Big Apple Greeter. DTD also helps senior citizens and people who suffer from diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Intense summer heat can be dangerous for the elderly and sufferers of MS. Many are homebound and without air conditioners or have cooling equipment in need of repairs. DTD solicits donations of air conditioners, repairs them, and contributes these appliances to those in need. TCI students make house calls to service air conditioners and other appliances. Benefits to Volunteers Besides teaching valuable skills to the approximately 400 student volunteers, the program enhances participants' humanitarian responses and reinforces their self-esteem. It is the students who can create a miracle. Volunteer activities help the students to grow and enables them to make their own dreams come true. What You Can Do To help these dreams become realities and to perpetuate the miracle, volunteers outside of Dare to Dream are needed, as well as donations of computers, air conditioners and other needed resources. That, undoubtedly, will be Dare to Dream's greatest miracle. Schools, shelters, hospices and other organizations, as well as individuals with disabilities, may apply to DTD for help. Robert Lubell and DTD can be contacted at TCI, 320 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001, telephone (212) 594-4000 extension 338. TCI is on the Web at www.tciedu.com. |
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