Boys & Girls Clubs receive $15,000 technology grant
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

Marlborough - The "Technology for All" program at the Marlborough and Framingham Boys & Girls Club sites will receive a $15,000 boost, thanks to a grant from Natick-based company Boston Scientific.

Julie Horrigan, vice president of development for the MetroWest Boys & Girls Club explained that the Metrowest area has more than 3,200 children in the clubs' programs.

"Our goal is to service 300 kids throughout the year in … two tech centers," Horrigan said.

In a recent press release, Paul Donovan, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation said the foundation "is committed where our employees live and work. We are pleased with the success of the Technology for All programs in helping children in the Metrowest region meet their full potential by developing important technological skills."

This year's grant money will be used to enhance the existing programs at the two sites. Specifically, Horrigan said, the clubs would use the money to cover training costs, hardware and software upgrades, and incentives for kids in the programs.

Horrigan attributed the success of programs like the annual "Student Art Show," in which students present artistic creations using computer software to create or enhance artwork, to this grant.

"In today's day and age, students need to be tech savvy and computer literate," Horrigan said.

To meet this need, the clubs are equipped with tech centers and host comprehensive programs to teach safe and efficient computer use.

All of the students involved with the club are first introduced to computers through an age-appropriate basic Internet safety program. From there, club members are able to participate in inhouse software activities like "Stock Quest," which allows kids to build and trade with mini-portfolios, and "Youth Net," a regulated and supervised social networking group.

In an eff ort to keep the students safe, the clubs have restricted exposure to sites like MySpace and tightly regulate use of the computers.

The Boys & Girls Club also off ers other programs, like Lego Robotics, that students can participate in through both daily drop-in membership and weekly Summer Camp programs. The goal of all of these programs is to familiarize students with basic to advanced computer skills that have become essential.

Horrigan finds the program a value to the organization because they encourage kids' creativity and also improve self-esteem. Tech programs have become increasingly popular in after-school programs.

"These programs are in high demand … They thrive in the after-school setting," Horrigan said.

Students can take a bus to the clubhouse from school and, for an annual fee of $25, students can participate in all of the after-school programs, including the homework center and tech programs.

Horrigan explained that the majority of the school year programs are sustained through grants like the one from Boston Scientific, as well as fund-raising.

For more information about technology programs or any other club programs, visit www.bgcmetrowest. com or call the clubhouse at 508-485- 4912.