Drexel University will showcase its KEYSPOT -- a community computer lab -- at an Open House on Wed., May 15, from 4pm – 7pm at the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, 3509 Spring Garden Street.
The KEYSPOT will provide free computer classes and Internet access to the West Philadelphia community. Through a collaboration with Drexel College of Engineering’s Freedom Rings Partnership and Philadelphia FIGHT, 10 computers will be available at the Dornsife KEYSPOT. Drexel FRP also has partnered with Goodwill Industries to provide training at the lab. Revenue generated from donations collected through the Goodwill bins located on Drexel’s campus will go directly to pay for a Dornsife KEYSPOT computer trainer.
The Open House will feature a raffle, refreshments and an opportunity to tour the lab and meet the instructor. Please register your attendance by clicking here.
KEYSPOT is a citywide collaboration of civic, community and nonprofit organizations including Drexel University, Urban Affairs Coalition and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Innovation and Technology. By some estimates one out of two Philadelphians are without Internet or computer access, impeding access to job opportunities, health care and education information, and government and social services. KEYSPOTS has 80 sites citywide to address this need.
Since its launch, the Partnership has:
- Launched more than 80 KEYSPOTS, offering over 800 new workstations across Philadelphia
- Provided nearly 200,000 hours of in-depth training to more than 20,000 participants
- Served almost 300,000 visitors through free computer access
- Distributed 5,000 netbooks to PHA residents completing an 8-hour, sweat equity training
- Saved or created 113 jobs in the region
The Partnership is funded by a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program under the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.