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The goal of our technology program, Villa Tech, is to create a community-based learning environment that can be replicated in low-income communities throughout the United States.

Description:
Villa Tech is a subsidiary of Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA) that was created in June of 2000. IBA is a community-based organization founded in 1968 that provides social services for the Villa Victoria low-income community. Among these services is the Villa Tech program, designed to bridge the digital divide by providing our residents with an access to technology. Villa Tech will directly serve the 3,000 residents of Villa Victoria, a low-income community in the South End of Boston. We will provide 900 families with high-speed Internet access, computers and printers for their homes, a community-based support network to assist residents better understand the technology tools that they have in their homes, and a state-of-the-art community technology center where they can learn the skills needed to access the opportunities of the new economy.

History:
Villa Tech began to take shape in July of 1998 with the development of a technology plan for IBA. As an agency dedicated to empowering the residents of Villa Victoria, IBA recognized that one of greatest barriers to educational and economic development is a lack of access to technology . Villa Tech was established in June 2000 and was formally incorporated in December of 2001. The mission of Villa Tech is 1) to develop a working model of Internet connectivity and technology skills training in low-income housing communities throughout the US, and 2) to create a community-based technology support group for community tech centers and community-based nonprofit organizations. To date, Villa Tech accomplishments include: In March 1999, in collaboration with Cisco Systems and City Year we, opened El Batey Community Tech Center overlooking Plaza Betances in the heart of Villa Victoria; In its first 18 months El Batey has undergone two software and three hardware upgrades, have equipped the center with a T-1 line, installed Cisco routers and switches, and equipped the center with eighteen state-of-the-art Digital PCs, a teachers workstation with an InFocus projector, and a HP4000TN printer;
El Batey has enabled 500 residents to obtain email accounts, and offers technology training for our after school program, introductory computer and Internet classes as well as Web page design and other job-readiness courses;
In conjunction with City Year, El Batey also serves as the site for Cisco Systems Networking Academy training;

Address:

405 Shawmut Avenue Boston, MA 02118 (See a map)

Directions:

From the Massachusetts Turnpike: Exit Copley. Take right onto Dartmouth St., go straight past Columbus Ave., and Tremont St. into West Dedham Street. On the stop sign on W. Dedham St., and Shawmut Ave. take a right about a. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Back Bay on Orange line,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: Tremont St., 5 minutes minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com