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EL PASO, CITY OF

The Virtual Village project will leverage community partnerships established through the Digital El Paso collaborative to aid urban and rural community residents gain access to technological and educational resources through public computer centers. The Virtual Village Project will greatly increase the number of Public Computer Centers and workstations, expanding the range of computer center resources available to all El Pasoans and providing access to the low-income neighborhoods that are most vulnerable. These computer centers will accomplish three Broadband Technology Opportunities Program statutory purposes: 1. Provide improved broadband access to consumers in underserved areas. 2. Provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment, and support to community anchor institutions, job-creating strategic facilities, and vulnerable populations. 3. Stimulate the demand for broadband, economic growth, and job creation. The Virtual Village Pathway to Success project model offers learning opportunities that meet the needs of our community and are culturally and linguistically appropriate. People may enter the Pathway to Success Pyramid at any point and access the resources they need. Making up the foundation of our Pyramid is literacy and basic skills, which include computer, English as a Second Language, General Equivalency Diploma, citizenship, and consumer health classes--including nutrition education classes such as prenatal/pediatric nutrition and public health services in the community. Workforce development is the next tier of programs and services and includes: 1) career counseling and re-focus, 2) career and educational testing, 3) job searching and preparation, equipping the individual with employable skills, and 4) the submission of online job applications. Tier three refers to higher education, encouraging participants to move to formal education when they feel they are ready. Tier four provides advanced training, allowing participants to become adept at using productivity software as well as voice, video and data communications that in turn will become the basis of family social networking and distance learning. Information, education and resources for existing and future small businesses, e-businesses, and entrepreneurs, included in tier five, will also be offered at each of our centers, in order to create a regional consumer culture that promotes innovation, commercialization and globalization. All of these programs and services will utilize adaptive technology, meaning our disabled population will no longer have to drive the extra mile to get to the next center to find adequate equipment.

Clarification of Codes