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Strategies that Empower the Economically Disadvantaged
Click-For-Success

Click-for-Success is one of the most innovative programs in the nation dedicated to bridging the "Digital Divide."

The CFS program works with several groups of students within Collin County. The elementary-school-aged participants attend a weekly after-school computer club and follow a curriculum that combines grade-appropriate lesson plans while learning new technology skills.

In addition, Click-for-Success provides the family of each student with a laptop computer, printer, and appropriate software. The learning doesn't stop at the weekly computer clubs - the participants are paired with mentors (volunteers) who visit the students and their families in their homes every-other week throughout the school year to provide ongoing academic, technological and general support.

Through Click-for-Success, students and parents alike are empowered with the technological tools needed to create a brighter future for themselves, for their children and for their community. The experience is richly rewarding for both student and mentor, with the lessons learned extending far beyond the traditional walls of a classroom.

Student Application Process

The children selected to enroll in the Click-for-Success program will undergo an extensive approval process (including submitting a detailed application, proof of financial status, parent and teacher recommendation forms). Students invited into the Click-for-Success program must demonstrate a high aptitude for learning and exhibit good behavior both inside and outside the classroom.

Program Requirements

In order to be accepted to the program, students must*:
• Qualify financially based upon the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Demonstrate they are in good academic standing (a "B" or better average overall).
• Demonstrate a desire to learn and apply ones self (must be confirmed by at least one positive teacher recommendation).
• Demonstrate good behavior (must be confirmed by at least one positive teacher recommendation).
• Attend Meadows Elementary School and regularly participate in Computer Club.

Program Structure

Click-for-Success consists of two components, the weekly Computer Club and the bi-monthly mentoring program. Both aspects of the program are designed to work in conjunction with one another and rely heavily upon volunteers within the community.

The Computer Club

Students meet once a week after school for CFS Computer Club. At Meadows Elementary School, the students meet on Friday afternoons from 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

Led by a trained instructor, students are engaged in a multitude of learning activities that challenge them to improve upon current computer skills and learn how to use and apply new technology in both academic projects and everyday life.

While the individual lessons are designed to tie in to grade-level learning objectives, the Computer Club environment is intended to be challenging and fun. It is important for students to feel comfortable as they learn new skills; it helps in building both knowledge and confidence levels. Computer Club volunteers assist by providing additional support to the instructor and students.

Regular attendance at the Computer Club is required of students who want to participate in the CFS Program, as many of the classroom lessons will link with the mentoring curriculum.

The Computer Club is led by an experienced instructor. Currently, CFS program director Kim Kamen works with Max Morales, a certified 3rd grade teacher at Meadows.

In-Home Mentoring

Click-for-Success was designed to provide students and their families knowledge and access to technology. Therefore, the families of students who are accepted into the program are lent a laptop computer, printer, relevant software and provided with Internet access in an effort to help the family cross the "Digital Divide." These items are allowed to stay within the family's home for as long as the student is actively enrolled in the Click-for-Success program.

A mentor is then paired with each student and meets with not only the student, and but also his/her family approximately twice per month throughout the school year.

The mentor's role is primarily to reinforce and enrich the lessons learned in the previous Computer Club. The mentors are provided with and trained to follow a curriculum that encourages creativity and helps to make learning fun.

Click Here for more information about volunteering for Click-For-Success