Help WSNA build a Computer Lab for GED Programs and Senior Accessibility
Invest in the West Side and help WSNA build a computer lab. Our goal is to bring adult education, free tuition, and life-changing opportunities for adults and seniors here to the West Side. We aim to remove all roadblocks to our residents in their journey to enrich their lives.
Help WSNA Build a Computer Lab and Launch a Local GED & NEDP Program This Fall
Campaign Mission:
To ensure all residents have access to the tools they need to better their lives, regardless of their age or economic circumstances. At the WestSide Neighborhood Alliance (WSNA), our mission is simple: to enrich the lives of our residents through easily accessible, low- or no-cost programs and resources. Operating primarily out of the West Side Community Center in Bivalve, MD, we are a dedicated 501(c)(3) working to ensure that our low-income and senior neighbors have the tools they need to thrive. Right now, a major piece of that puzzle is missing: digital access.
The Challenge:
For many in our community, the digital divide is a daily reality. Adults looking to advance their education face significant roadblocks that make it impossible to better their lives and situations. Many do not have reasonable access to a location and resources to complete their education.
While nearby Wor-Wic Community College offers excellent resources, the 30-minute commute is impossible for some low-income residents due to a lack of public transportation in our area. It is equally difficult for those who are juggling tight work and family schedules. In other words, if you don’t have a vehicle or reasonable access to one, educational and digital resources in this area are almost non-existent. Without these resources, improving your circumstances becomes incredibly difficult. How do you do better for your family and yourself?
Often, the obstacles our low-income residents face can be overcome with one thing: more education. But it isn't that easy. Resources are not always available, we are looking to solve that issue.
We also want to focus on our local senior population. Many of whom also struggle to stay connected in an increasingly online world. They have no way to pay bills online or stay in touch with loved ones, and a lack of familiarity with computers makes them vulnerable to scams.
The disconnect builds isolation, leading to depression and a feeling of loneliness or even despair. This can lead to a decline in quality of life, or worse, that can be easily avoided by allowing greater access to the outside world.
The Solution: A Local Computer Lab & Education Hub
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Wor-Wic Community College to bring GED and National External Diploma Program (NEDP) courses directly to the West Side! Wor-Wic is generously supplying the coursework and the teachers; WSNA needs to supply the space, the computers, and the students.
With your help, we are building a 5-station computer lab to host the inaugural class of five dedicated adult learners. Even better, we want to completely sponsor these students, covering their tuition and final testing fees so they can focus entirely on their success. The goal is to ease the financial burden as much as possible, allowing them to earn their diplomas without fear of obstacles or stigmas.
When the lab isn't being used for GED classes, it will serve as a vital lifeline for our senior residents. They will have a place to access the internet, send emails, and build crucial digital literacy skills. Anti-scam and general “how to navigate the internet” programs are currently being designed to accompany this initiative.
Inaccessibility builds walls, and lack of communication and lack of funds build the tallest of these walls. By bringing the lab directly to the West Side we are tearing those walls down.
How Your Donation Helps:
We have calculated exactly what it takes to launch this life-changing program. Here is the breakdown of our $7,000 goal:
Scholarships 5 x $150/each: $750 Lab
Computers 5 x $650/each: $3,250
Additional costs*: $3,000
Total Campaign Goal: $7,000
*additional costs include hardware, software licensing, snacks and other costs.
Be a Catalyst for Change!
Your contribution directly removes the barriers of cost and transportation for five hardworking individuals striving for their GED, while simultaneously opening up the digital world to our entire community.
• Donate: Any amount, big or small, gets us closer to opening the lab doors. Donations to our 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows!
• Share: Please share this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Word of mouth is our greatest asset.
• Learn More: Visit us at www.westsidenow.org to see the other incredible work happening at WSNA.
Thank you for believing in the potential of our residents. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous, and more connected community!