The Network Doesn't Care Where You Are Only WHAT YOU Have to Say! (Community of Practice and Purpose)

Detroit neighborhood gets free Wi-Fi

The Child Care Coordinating Council of Detroit/Wayne County Inc., a child education and advocacy organization, celebrated the first free wireless Internet service to a Detroit neighborhood at a reception at The Family Place last week. 4C, in cooperation with the Vanguard Community Development Corp. and funding from the Knight Foundation, is offering free Internet service to participants of their Wi-Fi wireless program and also supplying the participants with computers. In addition, free technical training is provided at one of 4C’s service locations, The Family Place. 4C said its wireless network extends to the North End neighborhood, bounded by I-94 on the south, Holbrook on the north, Oakland Avenue on the east and Woodward Avenue on the west. Businesses and non-profit organizations in the area can also participate in the pilot. “We are playing a key role in the city’s vision of Next Detroit,” said 4C Executive Director Carole Quarterman. “With the help from the Knight Foundation, we will continue to work with the city, sponsors and partners to expand free Internet access coverage in the North End community.” In 4C’s targeted areas, interested residents were recruited to pilot the wireless initiative. 4C believes that underserved areas will gain immeasurably by having the opportunity and ability to access the Internet. “4C is supplying us with free access to the Internet, new computers and a great training program,” said Herbert Jackson Sr., a North End resident and registered user of the program since February. “That kind of generosity doesn’t happen to us every day.” The free wireless LAN service in the initial pilot is funded by the Knight Foundation. 4C seeks to increase their Internet service to a total of 60 families and several business sites in the area. Participating families will be able to keep the computers given to them. 4C is looking to new funding sources to expand upon and continue this service beyond the end of the year. “Our pilot proves it is feasible to offer the signal and the training support,” said Denise Wellons-Glover, 4C’s project director. “As a community, we must establish innovative ways to empower our people with access to information and eliminate the digital divide for neighborhoods.” Residents, visitors and businesses are encouraged to contact 4C to learn about current coverage areas and to sign up for updates as new neighborhoods are added to the network. 4C’s wireless service is headquartered at The Family Place, 8726 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Created in 1970, 4C provides community services including public forums on policies and legislation, classes, workshops, seminars and educational material for parents, child care workers and other human service providers. 4C also recruits and provides support services to foster parents and others providing care to children in out-of-home placements. They also give information, technical assistance and consultation regarding child and family services available in Wayne County, as well as insure care for children during a family crisis through the Emergency Child Care Assistance Fund. 4C operates in eight locations in the metropolitan area. For more information, call (313) 664-0700.