2006 Tech Savvy Mountain/Southwest Regional Winner

Forrest Outreach Foundation
Addison, Texas

Click-for-Success, a program of the Forrest Outreach Foundation, in Addison Texas, has put a new spin on the phrase "there's no place like home" and in doing so has been selected as the 2006 Verizon Tech Savvy Award Mountain/Southwest Regional Winner.

The Click-for-Success program draws parents and children together to learn about the possibilities of technology. Families receive computer hardware, software and dial-up Internet access for their use at home while they participate in the program. After completing the three-year program, the computer equipment is given to the family.

Click-for-Success works exclusively with elementary school students who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. Students must maintain above average grades, behavior and school attendance and their parents must commit to program participation.

The program offers two components: an afterschool Computer Club class for students and personal guidance and instruction sessions for both students and parents provided in their homes by trained volunteer mentors. A trained instructor leads the computer classes that are conducted in partnership with the Plano Independent School District. Students engage in a variety of learning activities to improve their computer skills in an environment that is challenging and engaging.

"It is important for students to feel comfortable as they learn new skills; it helps in building both knowledge and confidence levels," said Click-for-Success Program Director Kim Kamen. "Computer Club volunteers assist by providing additional support to the instructor and students."

The class lessons are supplemented and enhanced by trained volunteer mentors who visit the families in their homes at least two times a month. Parental attendance is required during every mentoring session and mentors assist individual students as well as their parents

Click-for-Success mentors utilize a comprehensive curriculum and real-life lessons. Parents learn skills that can help them professionally. For example, parents learn how to use the Internet and e-mail to communicate with family and friends in other states or countries. They also learn how to access various social service agencies, design résumés, search for jobs and even take online college courses. The curriculum is designed to make learning fun and the sessions encourage communication and interaction between parent and child.

 "[The program] allows continued access and opportunity for all family members interested in learning computer skills," said Kamen.