National Partnerships

Neighborhood Networks 2008 National Partners

Partnerships are the lifeblood of Neighborhood Networks centers and are the only vehicle that provides the programming and resources needed to achieve HUD's stated goal of sustainability for both Neighborhood Networks centers and multifamily residents. Several significant partnerships have been achieved that are contributing to the success of Neighborhood Networks centers across the country.

Job Corps

Job Corps is a federal job-training program for low-income young adults funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Job Corps helps students ages 16-24 obtain a high school diploma or study for the General Educational Development (GED) test, learn a trade or job skill, and seek employment opportunities. Students receive onsite training and can enroll in the program for up to two years. For more than 40 years, Job Corps has trained young adults with the skills they need to begin a career. Job Corps' career placement is based primarily on national partnerships with companies in various industries. Upon completion of the program, students receive 12 months of follow-up services and support after obtaining a job.

Job Corps will partner with local Neighborhood Networks centers to provide access to regional Job Corps centers. Job Corps staff will work with Neighborhood Networks resident coordinators to identify and screen qualified young adults to enroll in the program. Job Corps will conduct an onsite orientation for Neighborhood Networks residents about the Job Corps process. Job Corps, in conjunction with Neighborhood Networks Center staff, will also coordinate onsite job fairs to introduce the community to various trades. Selected Job Corps graduates will mentor Neighborhood Networks youth about their experiences and various trades. Job Corps staff will also work with Neighborhood Networks property owners to identify the jobs skills needed for each property. Neighborhood Networks students enrolled in the Job Corps program will have the opportunity to apply for positions at Neighborhood Networks centers.

The Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP)

The Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) would like to partner with Neighborhood Networks to offer youth ages 14-18 the opportunity to participate in OBAP's Aviation Career Education (ACE) camps. The ACE camps will introduce youth to model aircraft building and flight simulations; provide visits to aviation museums, air traffic control facilities, and field trips to military and commercial facilities; and host presentations by aviation speakers. Two Neighborhood Networks youth from each selected Neighborhood Networks center will receive complimentary registration in the ACE Camp. Through the ACE Camps, Neighborhood Networks youth will have exposure to pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground control and maintenance personnel. Additionally, OBAP members will conduct informational sessions about the aviation industry for adults ages 18 and older. The sessions will serve to introduce all residents to career opportunities in aviation.

Educate Online

With more than 25 years of experience, Educate Online provides tutoring services in math and reading to thousands of youth nationwide. Educate Online's mission is to be the preferred partner of schools, school districts, community organizations and families, by providing research-based educational and support services designed to improve student achievement. To fulfill this mission, Educate Online has partnered with organizations such as One Economy Corporation, Empowerment M.I.N.D.S. Foundation, TEAMWORKS Academy (Seattle), Maleness to Manhood Foundation, and National Football League Players Association. As a result, more than 20,000 youth nationwide have benefited from its online tutoring. Educate Online uses up-to-date technology to provide online tutoring services to youth in need of supplemental educational services (SES). Educate Online provides direct instruction in math and reading for grades 3-12.

Educate Online will partner with Neighborhood Networks centers to provide online tutoring to centers located in Title I school districts. Participating youth will receive complimentary Dell Computers for online tutoring sessions. Upon completion of the program, youth will keep the computers. To ensure the partnership's success, the Educate Company has agreed to donate "Hooked on Spanish" and "Hooked on English" software to each participating center. Additionally, each participating center will receive $10 for each child that enrolls in the tutoring program. The donated funds will be used to benefit the Neighborhood Networks center youth and center programming.

Nonprofit Technology Network (N-TEN)

The Nonprofit Technology Network (N-TEN) is a membership organization of nonprofit professionals that use technology for their causes. N-TEN is a community of peers who share technology solutions across the sector and support each other's work. N-TEN assists nonprofits in skillfully utilizing technology to meet community needs through programming, such as online fundraising and conducting Webinars. N-TEN also conducts research and is an advocate for technology needs in local communities. N-TEN will provide a select number of Neighborhood Networks centers with complimentary organizational membership. Five centers will receive five complimentary Webinars, and access to the annual N-TEN conference.

Solutions for Progress, Inc (SfP) - Benefit Bank

Solutions for Progress, Inc (SfP) is a public policy technology company that assists low- and middle-income families with obtaining public benefits. SfP works with federal, state, and local government; faith-based, community, and civic organizations to assist individuals and families with accessing public benefits and tax credits using a comprehensive Internet-based program called The Benefit Bank (TBB). TBB was created to provide low-to moderate-income individuals with easier access to public benefits that can move them closer to self-sufficiency. Through the Internet-based program, individuals can overcome barriers to employment and can access opportunities.

TBB works with community organizations and volunteers to help them assist local residents. As a result, thousands of dollars have been distributed to low-to moderate-income individuals and families through tax refunds, medical assistance, and childcare. TBB will offer its comprehensive Internet- based program to Neighborhood Networks centers to provide residents access to online public benefits. Residents will learn to navigate the Internet-based software to file taxes, apply for medical benefits, register to vote, and obtain childcare subsidies. TBB will provide train-the-trainer and/or counselor mentorship classes to Neighborhood Networks staff so they can become certified counselors. TBB staff will assist local Neighborhood Networks centers with the coordination of benefit clinics and events where certified counselors help residents apply for benefits onsite. In partnership with Neighborhood Networks, TBB will train and compensate resident college students to assist other residents with navigating the Internet-based program.

CVS Caremark CVS

Caremark continues its dedication to the communities it serves through the CVS Caremark giving programs. The CVS Caremark programs focus on enhancing healthcare services, improving approaches to education, and promoting healthier communities. CVS Caremark has partnered with organizations including Easter Seals and the Boston Red Sox. Through these partnerships, CVS Caremark has contributed to organizations such as the American Heart Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Rhode Island, and Sojourner House. CVS Caremark will collaborate with Neighborhood Networks consortia to provide workforce development training for youth and direct job placement services for adults. Through its business involvement program, CVS Caremark will educate Neighborhood Networks consortia in workforce development, education, and community organizations. Selected youth and young adults will participate in job shadowing, internships, clinical experience, and mentoring. For adult residents, CVS Caremark will provide resident coordinators with job listings and resident referrals for direct job placement. CVS Caremark would also like to participate in the Neighborhood Networks National Conference to educate other regional consortia/centers on workforce development programs offered in local communities.

Internal Revenue Service

The IRS is the federal government agency responsible for collecting taxes in the United States. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program began in 1969 to offer free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $40,000 and below) people who are unable to prepare their own tax returns. Since its inception, the program has trained thousands of volunteers who have prepared millions of free tax returns. The VITA program has also been a strong proponent in educating and securing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for working families. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Volunteers assist taxpayers with special credits, such as EITC, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing).

The IRS would like to collaborate with Neighborhood Networks consortia to establish VITA sites to provide free tax preparation for residents. The IRS will provide: free tax preparation software, tax law training and training materials, marketing products and materials, volunteers (when needed), access to national partnership networks and models, and most specifically for Neighborhood Networks consortia, free onsite and remote technical assistance. Consortia will use the resources to operate VITA sites in their region with ongoing assistance from the IRS.

National Institute of Health's (NIH's) National Center for Research Resources, Science Education Partnership Award (NCRR SEPA)

The NCRR SEPA Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy (BBHSL) program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centers would like to partner with Neighborhood Networks centers to develop a model based on the online Problem-Based Learning (PBL) for youth and to conduct health-information workshops for all residents. The PBL model will present a real-life health- or science-related issue to a team of youth who will research and find solutions.

BBHSL will target age-appropriate youth and deliver the PBL model via online training. Teams from three Neighborhood Networks centers will participate in an organized competition. BBHSL will provide Neighborhood Networks centers with access to the Memphis Educational Computer Connectivity Alliance (MECCA) Moodle online management system for training and learning tools for communicating, conducted by the head facilitator. An additional trained facilitator will provide Neighborhood Networks center youth teams with onsite guidance and assistance as they complete their PBL scenario. Each Neighborhood Networks team will present their solutions to a panel of judges. Following the presentations' completion, a supplemental incentive will be provided to both the winning team and the other participating teams. BBHSL would also like to provide residents of five Neighborhood Networks centers with genomic educational workshops, which will inform residents how and why diseases and illnesses are passed down through their genes. The residents will also be provided health information through online resources for changing their lifestyle through nutrition and identifying preventative care options.

One Economy

One Economy will partner with Neighborhood Networks consortia to create a "Neighborhood Networks Channel" that provides a national network of educational and useful content online for low-income users. One Economy content will include information on financial services, career development, education, taxes, housing, and healthcare. Individualized content will include a "Career Coach" and a "Family Budget Tool", which links consortia to information on financial aid, education, and budgeting. Neighborhood Networks consortia would upload local content and information about their programs and services as well organize projects, such as digital storytelling. The private label, "Neighborhood Networks Channel," would also allow consortia to provide remote training, online training videos, and share best practices. Consortia will customize individual channels by creating blogs, information alerts, photo essays, and video upload. Neighborhood Networks residents could use the "Neighborhood Networks Channel" to identify local resource providers, such as healthcare clinics and afterschool programs. Residents will rate these services online and forward the information to others.

Pledge Bank

PledgeBank is a project developed by mySociety.org to improve the benefits of civic and community involvement. Its Web site has been used by individuals and organizations whose goal is to create change in their communities. Through the use of PledgeBank's tools, individuals and organizations have been able to organize projects in their communities via the Internet. PledgeBank is collaborating with Neighborhood Networks consortia to provide free access to its Web site, which will serve as a communication tool for consortia members and stakeholders. The PledgeBank Web site can be used to increase the awareness of a consortium's needs, activities, and goals while enabling current and potential stakeholders with the ability to better address these various issues. Consortia will be able to use PledgeBank's Web site to develop partnerships, raise funds for specific projects, obtain volunteers, start and/or expand programs, network, and communicate more effectively with their members. Participating consortia will receive a customized training manual to aid in proficient use of the PledgeBank's Web site as well as complementary remote technical assistance from a PledgeBank representative.

Interested centers can call the toll-free Neighborhood Networks Information Center at (888) 312-2743 for additional information on Neighborhood Networks national partnerships.

Some of our national partners from previous years include:

2007

	Wachovia
	Computers 4 Students
	Holiday Inn
	Kaplan, Inc.
	Lifetime Learning
	Bright Futures Learning, Inc.
	Gifts In Kind International
	Grantstation.com, Inc.
	Grant Write
	Samsung, Inc.

2006

	I-Safe America, Inc.
	Operation Hope, Inc.
	The National Network of Libraries of Medicine's (NN/LM's) Southeast Atlantic Region
	Hargadon Computer, Inc.
	TechMission
	Museum of Science, Boston's Intel Computer Clubhouse Network
	Alliance for Technology Access

2005

	Beaumont Foundation of America
	Carolina Pros
	Grassroots.org
	Network for Good
	Money Management International
	TJX Companies, Inc.
	SeaKay
	Per Scholas
	UniRush Financial Services

2004

	Adult Literacy Media Alliance
	Npower
	The Points of Light Foundation
	CompuMentor
	Pro Bono Net, Inc.
	One Economy

2003

	U.S. Department of Labor
	Bank of America
	Nortel Networks Kidz Online
	U.S. Department of Education
	CyberLearning

As Neighborhood Networks moves forward, we are committed to continuing these positive efforts. To find out more about how your organization can become a national partner, visit our Becoming a Partner page.