Boat People S.O.S. making strides towards Computer Education for All

FALLS CHURCH, VA - Boat People S.O.S. (BPSOS) has recently been awarded a grant by the Beaumont Foundation of America for technology equipment including laptops, digital cameras, and printers valued approximately at $23,000. BPSOS was chosen from more than 8,000 applicants after an extensive review process.
"This equipment will be utilized to establish a mobile computer lab to bring services to selected neighborhoods in Northern Virginia to serve some 200 individuals who cannot access our Community Technology Center in Falls Church," said Neha Jain, BPSOS' Information Support and Development Coordinator.
The mobile computer lab will bring many of the services currently offered at BPSOS' Computer Technology Center (CTC) to select neighborhoods, serving persons who are homebound due to lack of transportation. Service will initially be offered at churches, libraries, and community centers in collaboration with partner organizations such as the Association of Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
BPSOS will use the technology equipment to provide computer training and English as Second Language (ESL) classes to interested individuals. Instruction will be provided by a team of experts who have been teaching community members for several years. BPSOS will also use the mobile lab to provide tax preparation services for low-income members of the community.
The Falls Church CTC currently offers ESL classes and computer training for adults, tutoring and mentoring for children and youth, and tax preparation for low-income taxpayers. Many community organizations have used this facility for training and special projects. Beside Falls Church, BPSOS' network of CTCs has provided similar services in Camden, Philadelphia, Springfield (MA), St. Louis, Louisville, Adelphi (MD), District of Columbia, Hampton Roads (VA), Atlanta, New Orleans, and Orange County (CA). Over the past three years, the tax clinics at these CTCs have helped 3,000 taxpayers claim $1.8 million in tax refunds and credits.
BPSOS also received donations from the National Christina Foundation for computer equipment as well as software.