Need Statement The South Bronx is known to be a high poverty stricken area sadly the children miss out on many opportunities because of lack of money. In a society where technology has advanced greatly it seems those without resources are left behind. Poverty in the Bronx is at an all-time high as the world moves forward it seems the families in the Bronx are drowning in need. In all of New York City the Bronx has the highest rate of poverty. The rate has slightly improved in recent years, but child poverty in the Bronx is almost 10 percent higher than in the most populous borough, Brooklyn, and well above the city average of 28.8 percent (Lievano 2009). . St. Ann’s Church of Morrisania is an organization located in the heart of the Bronx this organization have dedicated its services to the community especially the children. Seeing our children as our future St. Ann’s see the need to help defenseless children. Without help the children forced to live in poverty have no chance for a bright future. The programs at St. Ann’s are designed to assist low to no income families and children. There is a food pantry, a soup kitchen, free clothing, afterschool program during the academic school year and the freedom school program in the summer months. These programs assure that the children in the community are eating well, have clothes, and on certain days a hot meal. The programs also give the children a friendly atmosphere in which to socialize with their peers. The staff is small and there are many adult, college, and school age volunteers. There is always the challenge to provide new and exciting activities and programs that will enhance the children’s attention. The society we currently live in is a pre-internet era where many homework assignments require the use of a computer. The internet helps children with researching information used to complete homework assignments. For parents it is an avenue of keeping track of the progress of children’s academic prowess without waiting for progress reports or open school nights. It is also an avenue for seeking employment and skill improvement. Computers help to extend the reach for many while also opening avenues that would otherwise be closed. St. Ann’s already has a room with one computer in it this room can be transformed into a computer lab this room is big enough to house 10-15 computer stations. Adding a computer lab will be an advantage to the community as a whole and since St. Ann’s have a positive reputation with its donors it will make it easy to ask for help with this program. The computer lab will ensure that these children will have a chance at changing his or her future. Technical change has the potential to help millions of people in their daily battle to survive. New and improved technologies, which women and men living in poverty can use in ways which are appropriate to their context and needs, can: •Expand and improve their livelihood options •Increase their productivity and incomes •Improve the quality of the goods and services that they use, and •Enhance the quality of their lives. (Practical Action 2001) Technology will give families and children the opportunity through access to improve their lives, as well as extent his or her skills, and knowledge. Technology will open up the world for children to see beyond what he or she is surrounded by. There are many software programs that help increase a child’s academic abilities. Children will be able to do extensive research and get help with history facts. There are typing programs, writing programs, electronic books and many educational movies that will all lend hand to opening the mind of children. . There will need to be an instructor in the lab at all times. This means this program will generate job opportunities in the community. Because of all the work done in the community and the relationship between the community and the organization St. Ann’s could ask for donations of computers from local and national establishments should bring in free, or reduced priced quality computers which will cut down any cost from St. Ann’s. It would be estimated that the entire program should cost at least $175, 000 dollars. This money will also go towards electrical adjustments in the computer lab, training courses for employees, maintenance which will include a technologist and payroll for the instructor. It is estimated to have this computer lab up and running by next year it will require a lot time but will be well worth the wait for the children and the community.

References Author Unknown (2010), Practical Action, Poverty reduction and Technology, Retrieved February 17, 2013 from http://practicalaction.org/technology_and_poverty Author Unknown (2010), The Diocese of New York, St. Ann’s Church Afterschool Program, Retrieved February 15, 2013 from http://stannsb.dioceseny.org/ Lievano, B.A. (2009), The Bronx Beat, Study finds 40% of local children living in poverty, Retrieved February 16, 2013 from http://128.59.96.140/bronxbeat09/www/story.asp?id=349