Think of it as a start-up company, but instead of offering stock options, it provides a tremendous pay back to the community. The program operates in 8 week sessions, teaching the kids a new skill each Saturday. Once the child completes all 8 weeks, he or she receives a free refurbished computer, monitor and printer. The program is still in its early stages and the Director, Steve DeLorey, plans on expanding it into neighborhoods around St. Louis. Most of the computers, monitors and printers are donated by local corporations.
Volunteers also help upgrade the donated equipment.
New volunteers to the program are always welcome. Currently, the program is seeking corporate sponsorships so the program can strengthen and eventually be duplicated in other neighborhoods. During the past few years, the demand for Ph.D.'s in Business Administration with an MIS concentration has been very high. Students seeking research positions in MIS consulting firms command even higher salaries. As the global economy will increasingly rely on information technology during the 21st century, demand for scholars in this area will continue to rise.