SAFECO Partners With Mc Coy Village In Computer Program

When Mc Coy Village rose like a phoenix from two empty weed-infested blocks in northeast Portland's predominantly African-American community, it was hailed as a positive and creative low-income urban housing solution.

Now, with today's opening of Mc Coy Village's SAFECO Computer Lab and Learning Center, its residents have a cyberspace ticket to greater income and academic achievement.

"In today's world, familiarity with computers is literally a prerequisite for learning and job advancement," Jaki Walker, executive director of Northeast Community Development Corp. (NECDC) said. "But Mc Coy Village is in a low-income neighborhood where computers and Internet access can be out of reach—but all that changes with the opening of the SAFECO Computer Lab."

To make that change, Seattle-based SAFECO, has donated a room full of computers and pledged ongoing volunteer support to the project.

Recent studies seem to bear out Walker's observations. A 1997 study by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that 19% of African-American households have computers at home compared to 41% for white households. According to a 1998 Vanderbilt University study, 73% of white high school students own computers by the time they are ready to enter college versus only 32% of African-American youths.

According to a 1996 study by the Digest of Education Statistics, only 5.6% of families with incomes of $20,000 a year or less are using computers at home, versus 42.4% for families with annual incomes of $75,000 or more.

Dr. Matthew Prophet, former Portland Superintendent of Schools, sees an immediate impact of the SAFECO Computer Lab for the Mc Coy Village schoolchildren. "In my experience, that gap in computer access based on income is real and exists just as Portland area schools are placing even greater emphasis on students' technological literacy and computer skills," Prophet said. "The SAFECO Computer Lab will improve academic performance by equalizing learning opportunities for all our children, preparing them for a productive life in the 21st century."

Walker sees advantages for the parents as well. "Over half our residents are women running single parent households with one to four children," Walker said. "With kids and income under $20,000 a year, it's tough to invest in a $2500 computer. That's why the SAFECO Computer Lab is so important—it provides opportunity these women need now and a chance for their children to better prepare for higher education in the future."

SAFECO Home Office Human Resources Director Jim Wilson agrees. "Knowing how to use computers and software programs makes you a much more appealing job candidate and increases your future earning potential," Wilson said, adding that he couldn't remember when he had last hired someone that did not have some personal computer skills.

"That's why everyone should have a chance to learn about and use computers," Ed Todd, SAFECO senior underwriter and chair of the company's Portland Region community involvement committee said. "But we wanted to take our SAFECO commitment past just donating machines." SAFECO volunteers will teach adults basic computer skills at the center as well as resume writing, job interview skills and household finance. They will also provide computer tutorial classes for children and seniors. SAFECO volunteers will provide technical support for the computer lab as needed and serve as mentors for young adults.

SAFECO's Strengthening America's Neighborhoods program sponsors projects like the computer center. It is dedicated to fostering neighborhood economic growth, safety and pride. "Mc Coy Village sits where vacant lots stood last year and so it's a shining sign of a neighborhood on the upswing and we're happy to help push even higher," Todd said.

"The SAFECO Computer Lab will offer easy first floor access and will be especially convenient for our working single parents who don't have a lot of extra time," said Vera Johnson, who lives in McCoy Village. "Plus, a lot of the kids who get to use computers at school will benefit from having an extra chance to practice."

Currently, classes are open only to McCoy Village residents, but in January 1999, classes will be offered to the surrounding community through Portland Community College.

Additional support for the computer lab was provided by the PacifiCorp Foundation, which donated $25,000 for computer software and the Oregon Corporation for Affordable Housing, which donated eight additional state-of-the-art computers.

Mc Coy Village, a joint venture of NECDC, the O.N.E. Company of Los Angeles and the Oregon Corporation for Affordable Housing, is home to 55 resident families. It also features after school study rooms, office space for social services and a tenant services coordinator to help residents with employment, child care and educational opportunities.