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HP Technology Program Advances Education and Economic Development in East Baltimore
Baltimore Digital Village celebrates three years of innovation and economic growth
BALTIMORE, June 29, 2004
HP and its Baltimore Digital Village partners today marked the third anniversary of a community initiative designed to address critical social and economic needs through the innovative application of technology.
Since the Baltimore Digital Village was launched in 2001 with a $5 million HP grant to the East Baltimore Empowerment Zone, the program has enhanced education, spurred entrepreneurship and job creation, and strengthened community relations through a thriving "e-living" culture that integrates HP technology in schools, local businesses and the community at large.
"HP began this endeavor three years ago by listening to the community and together we developed an innovative and sustainable approach to address the community's needs through the use of HP technology," said Debra Dunn, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs and Global Citizenship, HP. "We are proud of the many achievements in education and economic development that have resulted from the collaboration between the Baltimore community and HP."
HP, Baltimore City Public School System, Empower Baltimore Management Corporation, Morgan University, Baltimore City Community College and other partners are celebrating the anniversary today at a community event at the Hippodrome in East Baltimore. Activities include a community tour of key Baltimore Digital Village programs, including The Door Community Technology Center and The Chance Center, presentations on project achievements by residents, and remarks by Dr. Bonnie Copeland of the Baltimore City Public School System as well as HP executives.
"HP is playing a vital and much needed role in providing the people of Baltimore with expanded and sustainable access to technology," said Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. "The East Baltimore Digital Village is a landmark public-private partnership and, together, we are changing lives through the use of technology."
To ensure sustainability of the Baltimore Digital Village and continued improvement in social and economic conditions, community leaders are collaborating with state and local officials to ensure further expansion of the program.
Baltimore Digital Village achievements include:
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Entrepreneurial spirit and job creation through BDV@Work
The Small Business Development Initiative provides local business owners and entrepreneurs with professional development training, business planning assistance, and a state-of-the-art technology package for their own business. Thirty-five local entrepreneurs graduated from this five-week skills program.
To promote job placement, 50 residents graduated from various information technology (IT) training programs offered by Baltimore Digital Village organizations such as Space Hope and the Maryland Center for Arts & Technology. Enhanced IT training programs have resulted in residents receiving Cisco and/or A+ certification. Thirty of the graduates have secured employment in the IT departments of several local businesses.
"The Baltimore Digital Village has provided me with an opportunity to expand my professional development skills and improve my business model," said Aaron Moore, local business owner and graduate of the Baltimore Digital Village Small Business Development Initiative. "I applied what I learned in the program to improve efficiency and increase profits for my company."
Neighborhood computer access through BDV@Community
A residential access program provided 300 families with their own home PC and printer. Each recipient participated in basic computer skills training to learn how to effectively use the technology to access relevant information and unearth new opportunities for themselves, their families and their neighbors.
Loretta Bradshaw, a Baltimore resident and computer recipient, had never used a computer before. Through the Baltimore Digital Village, she now has learned how to leverage technology to access local resources and create new opportunities for herself and for the daycare business she runs out of her home.
For residents of all ages, six technology centers are located throughout the community to enable access to the Internet, computer skills workshops and job training. The newly developed community portal provides residents information about employment opportunities, health and childcare assistance.
Improved student achievement through BDV@School
One hundred and eighty-five teachers from the Baltimore City Public School System have integrated computer-based curriculums in their classrooms. The teachers received HP notebook PCs, 400 student desktop PCs and training on how to effectively leverage the technology to improve student achievement. As a result of their participation in the Baltimore Digital Village, five local schools are now up to state standards for technology integration.
Several of the schools have witnessed an immediate transformation of students' interest and participation in math and science. Students used the technology to create school science fair projects; five students qualified for state-level competition, making them eligible for college scholarships.
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HP's commitment to e-inclusion
The Baltimore Digital Village is part of a growing global network of communities HP is partnering with as part of its e-inclusion program. The program seeks to provide people access to greater social and economic opportunities by closing the gap between technology-empowered and technology-excluded communities, focusing on sustainability for the communities and HP. Other communities include the tribal community of San Diego County, Calif; East Palo Alto, Calif.; Dikhatole, South Africa; Kuppam, India, and Mogalakwena, South Africa.
Over the last 20 years, HP has contributed more than $1 billion in cash and equipment to schools, universities, community organizations and other not-for-profit organizations around the world. In 2003, HP's worldwide giving amounted to more than $62 million in cash and equipment.
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2004, HP revenue totaled $76.8 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.
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