The Russian Jack COPC Helps a Local Organization Upgrade Their Computer Lab

As part of the Infrastructure component of their Community Outreach Partnership Center program, the University of Alaska at Anchorage worked with a local organization, the Anchorage Literacy Project, to upgrade their computer lab. The Anchorage Literacy Project offers Adult Basic Education and English Literacy (English as a Second Language) classes and is located in the Anchorage neighborhood of Russian Jack, the service area of the University of Alaska Anchorage COPC. The previous computer lab was more than 10 years old and almost obsolete.

The main Infrastructure objective was to make Anchorage service information available for Russian Jack residents. Because this information is offered through the United Way of Anchorage's database, AKINFO, the Russian jack COPC collaborated with the Anchorage Literacy Project to upgrade their computer lab to make the computers internet accessible. Six new Gateway computers and two scanners were purchased for the Anchorage Literacy Project, using COPC matching funds.

Other organizations also participated in the project. The United Way assisted by brainstorming ideas and by connecting the project with Robbie Hoch. Robbie works at Elmadorf Air Force Base and is a Non-Commission Officer in Charge of Man Power for the 381st Intelligence Squadron. Robbie and two of his staff, Miguel Camacho and Brian Mullen, donated their expertise and time to installing the computer cables to connect the Anchorage Literacy Project computers to the internet.

The computer lab is up and running and the students and instructors are quite pleased with it. It has been a great partnership and will be a big asset and resource for the Russian Jack residents.

For more information contact:
Jacqueline Summers, Project Manager
UAA Russian Jack Community Outreach Partnership Center
(907) 337-1553
anjys@uaa.alaska.edu