EZLink

Project Abstract

Through the collaboration of Detroit's Public Schools, Detroit area organizations, and communities within the University of Michigan (Social Work, Education, Law and Business), EZLink seeks to:

1. Determine practical methods of engagement for the Internet and computer technologies with at-risk populations;
2. Study appropriate use, structural issues, and organizational implications of Internet and computer use;
3. Identify the appropriate uses of Internet and computer technology in communities, organizations, and at-risk populations; and
4. Analyze social costs of Internet and computer technology and its use among at-risk populations with an emphasis on the introduction of technology which will help youths get or retain jobs, stay in schools, and divert youth from engaging in high-risk behaviors such as violence and substance abuse. The Noble Elementary/Middle School in Detroit was the initial community site.

We address the following issues:

1. The present status of technology use and corresponding issues relative to such use: non-profit and social service concerns, service penetration, software and hardware "dumping", educational, and social issues;
2. A detailed description of a unique program model involving collaboration between partners, sharing of individual and combined resources, development of a community-based technology initiative that has community ownership, and the inclusion of a sustainability plan from the program's onset;
3. An extensive description of the initial stage of an initiative to promote youth development and prevent youth violence through the use of technology - youth violence in Detroit, the process of community visioning, and the overall goals, objectives, and action steps of this initiative.

University of Michigan Global Program on Youth, School of Social Work Building, Room 3743
1080 South University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106 ssw.global@umich.edu

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

© 2002 by The Regents of the University of Michigan