From the Director

It’s summer and that means it’s time for summer internships for our students.

This year seven of the CMG advanced students are employed. All are working alongside senior CMG staff as assistants to facilitate contracts we have to do summer programs with the City of Tampa Recreation Department, Beulah Baptist Church, Islamic Society of Tampa Bay, Child Abuse Council, Ferrell Middle School, and Hillsborough County’s Mort Park.

Pictured are (l to r): Peter Jentsch, Aljerral Hicks, Kayla King and Meghan Fish-Stuhl

Additionally, one of the interns will assist in the building and installation of 100 computers to be given away for our Back-to-school Computers For Kids giveaway this fall.

Pictured are (l to r): Aljerral Hicks, Tricia Keppley, Keion Whitening
(not pictured is T. J. Collins)

It does not appear that we will receive the $5,000 award from Hamburger Helper. That would have meant that we could have employed an additional two students to build computers to be provided to other non-profits. But the comments and gestures of support were very much appreciated.

CMG Volunteer Hank Gill is a "Point of Light"

Hank Gill was recently recognized by Gov. Charles Crist as a “Point of Light” for exemplary volunteerism. As a volunteer board member for Computer Mentors Group Inc., Gill has committed himself to providing computers and training to low-income residents.

On May 14, Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp presented the Governor’s Points of Light Award to Gill in front of family and friends at a reception at CMG’s main office. Gill also received a proclamation from the City of Tampa.

Celebrating Hank Gill's Point of Light award were (l-r)
Ralph Smith, Gill, State Senator Arthenia Joyner and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp

"Hank’s work with Computer Mentors Group shows the huge difference one person can make in improving computer learning," Governor Crist wrote in his announcement of Gills’ selection. "His efforts bring important opportunities and education for the families who benefit from the programs he has inspired."

Gill has been involved with Computer Mentors for several years. He was instrumental in arranging for computers to be donated to families in need. The success of the "Christmas Computers for Kids" campaign led to the development of a similar program for students going back to school. Gill also helped organize CMG's Tech Bowl, a fundraiser to involve community leaders in raising money for computer literacy. His efforts have contributed to programs that enable more than 450 families each year to receive refurbished computers with Microsoft programming and free Internet access.

"You’ll be hard pressed to find a better candidate for this award than Hank," said Ralph Smith, executive director of Computer Mentors, who nominated Gill. "He’s been a real blessing for our organization and has helped push our mission forward to provide computers and training for underprivileged youth."

Each week the Points of Light Award program recognizes a Florida resident who demonstrates exemplary service to his or her community. A panel of judges composed of Florida volunteers evaluate all nominations and make recommendations to the governor.

Computer Mentors Creates Honors Board

Charitable organizations recruit board members for a variety of reasons. Some individuals are talented fundraisers and are sought to help raise money. Others bring credibility, prestige or expertise to an organization.

In the Tampa Bay area there are several outstanding community leaders who have lent their time and talent over there years on behalf of Computer Mentors Group (CMG), regardless if their names were listed on the Board of Directors roster.

Computer Mentors has created an Honors Board to recognize these individuals for serving as ambassadors, promoting CMG's mission and working diligently on its behalf. The inaugural board is comprised of state Senator Arthenia Joyner; state Representative Betty Reed; former City of Tampa councilman Bob Buckhorn; former chairpersons of the Board of Directors Susanne Kinsella Gill and Shirley Houston; and longtime volunteer Gene Marshall, a former executive with JPMorganChase.

"We are fortunate to have the involvement and endorsement of some incredible leaders who believe in our mission of bridging the digital divide," said Ralph Smith, executive director of Computer Mentors. "We are indebted to their commitment."

Computer Mentors is now in its tenth year of operation. It is currently providing computers and training to children, youths and adults in 11 locations throughout Hillsborough County including the main office at 2802 E. Martin Luther King Boulevard in Tampa and its newest location in Plant City. All of the CMG programs include the ability for students to receive free computers. Last year, CMG provided 317 computers to individuals and donated another 20 to other local not-for-profit organizations.

CMG Back-To-School Computer Give-away

It’s that time again.

Computer Mentors will provide computers to families in need during its "Back-to-School Computer" campaign. But there is a new twist to the annual summer giveaway. Students of Academy Prep Center of Tampa in Ybor City will be the sole recipients of this year’s program.

Distribution will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the CMG office on Martin Luther King Blvd. between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Officials expect to give away 100 computers loaded with Windows XP Pro operating system, Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Student 2007, Adobe Acrobat, free Juno Internet service, virus protection, spyware protection and a model.

Academy Prep Center for Education was formed ten years ago with its first school in south St. Petersburg. The Ybor Center, opened in 2003, has replicated the success of it sister campus and celebrated its first graduating class in the spring of 2007.

In the Ybor neighborhood of the Center, less than fifty percent of the adults have graduated from high school.

Academy Prep officials hope they are making a difference in the lives of the young people there by providing a strict academic curriculum and enrichment activities.

Each student receives four years of tuition-free, college preparatory education in grades fifth through eighth. And students attend school up to 11 hours a day, 6 days a week and 11 months each year.