Seniors Bring Computer Literacy to Tent City

BOSTON--If you believe Brian J. Rosenthal '99 and Jason E. Bressner '99, the real computer crisis of the 21st century is not the Y2K bug, but the fact that scores of American citizens seem to be left out during the current revolution in computers and technology.

"As computers become more prevalent and a part of everyone's lives, those without access to such resources find themselves at a competitive disadvantage," said Bressner.

To address the issue, Bressner and Rosenthal have organized a series of free classes to teach anyone who's interested how to design a Web page.

Their first graduating class presented their final projects last night at a commencement ceremony held at the South End Technology Center at the Tent City public housing development in Boston.

The classes are run both by InterCity, a Harvard organization led by Rosenthal, and CyberTrain, a company started by Bressner.

The concept behind CyberTrain and Intercity's computer literacy project is a simple one: Teach underprivileged people basic HTML skills so they can apply for lucrative jobs in an industry where qualified workers are typically scarce.

"It's a way for people to get paid for their mind and intellect, while as before their jobs were much more monotonous," Bressner said.

The program is still in its infancy, but Bressner has big plans for CyberTrain. This summer, he expects to enroll over 200 students in as many as 15 separate classes at technology centers around Boston.

"We're hoping to perpetuate this through an expansion across Boston, and ultimately beyond," he said.

In a world increasingly defined by our interaction with technology, organizations such as CyberTrain and Intercity could help even the gap between the technology haves and have-nots.

Organizers said the joint venture's achievements are remarkable, given that the collaboration is only one year old.

One of their success stories is Charles White, who was in between jobs as a cook before he enrolled in InterCity's program. Now he's in the final stages of applying for a job at CitySoft, a Web development firm in Boston and graduated from InterCity's program at yesterday's small commencement ceremony.

. "I love doing this and hope to make a career out it," he said.

Yet the program can be difficult for students, who often must hold down full-time jobs and juggle other responsibilities while they take classes.

Out of an initial class of 12 students this semester, only four completed the requirements for graduation. "I'm surprised to be here today," White said.

The classes are scheduled for only four hours a week, yet they typically run much longer.

"Sometimes I didn't get home until 1 a.m.," said Dorothy Flynn, a student who said she hopes to use her newfound HTML prowess to work on a Web site advocating the release of jailed South African poet Mzwakhe Mbuli.

Bressner and Rosenthal started working on InterCity last November. When Bressner decided he wanted to run a similar program after he graduated, he started CyberTrain so he could continue his work next year.

"You get pushed out the door when you graduate from Harvard," he said.

The classes, which are taught primarily by Hau S. Luc '00 and Michael Y. Saji '02, are held at the South End Technology Center at Tent City. The Technology Center, which boasts some 15 computers, as well as printers, projectors and other equipment, is open until midnight five days a week to anyone who wants to drop by.

"This place is owned by the people who use it," said Mel King, a former Boston mayoral candidate who runs the center. "We want people to participate in technology at all levels, to become producers and not just consumers of technology," he said.