Making Provo the Happiest Place on Earth

On Saturday we had an Open House at the South Franklin Community Center, to celebrate the opportunities we now have to learn about technology. The Community Leaders Program (CLP) of Provo offers help with all of our questions about computers, the internet, and technology at three different locations in Provo. 

Fortunately for us, one of their locations is the South Franklin Community Center. The Community Leaders, Mac, Michelle, Steve, and Geoff have been working with South Franklin Community Center (SFCC) neighbors on Chromebooks (laptops) for several months now. If you didn't already know, Monday-Thursday from 5:00-6:30 YOU can go to the SFCC and use a computer and internet, AND have an expert there to help you if you have any questions. 

Our very first guest, Peggy, had never been in the SFCC before but our best friend April invited her to come. Peggy used a Chromebook for the first time, and she even got to chat with Mayor John Curtis for awhile. 

Michelle, Peggy, and Mayor Curtis 

One of our best friends, April, hops on one of the SFCC's Chromebooks to check her email. 

In addition to our new friend Peggy, around 70 other people joined us at the Open House. Some, like Peggy, had never visited us before, but many others are old friends. Everyone was able to learn more about our programs, sign-up for classes, use the computers, meet new people, and eat some yummy food. 

I enjoyed talking to Alma and her family, because although I see her often, it is rare that we get the chance to sit down and have a conversation. I also loved to see our faithful supporters and community movers and shakers, Joan and Josy, who I can count on for anything. Lastly, the three musketeers Ernesto, Antonio, and Fernando expertly navigated the computer, but know they can always learn more from their friend Steve. 

Alma's husband, Jose, said something that has stuck with me all weekend. We could relate to one another, because we had both moved to Utah from Arizona. We spoke of the differences between the two states, how one was clearly hotter than the other, how long we had lived there, and so forth. But he told me he loves Provo and plans to stay here because it is a great place to raise his family. I certainly agree with Jose and it is my work and my hope that the South Franklin Community Center contributes to his family's happiness and success. 

In my mind, the equation is simple:  happiness= community. 

Community includes all we need, family, friends, neighbors, resources, opportunities, and more. 

As promoters of a better community, you could say that myself, the South Franklin Community Center, United Way of Utah County, and the Community Leaders Program are working to make Provo the happiest place on earth. 

Your friend, 

Kirsten 

Alma and her adorable son enjoy some delicious fruit before they explore what the CLP program has to offer.  

Two of the SFCC's most dedicated supporters enjoy breakfast together. Thanks Joan and Josy for all you have done and will continue to do for the community. 

Ernesto, Antonio, and Fernando enjoy hanging out with their mentor Steve, who taught them how to find new, fun (but educational) games online. 

Google Fiber is coming to the South Franklin Community Center

The South Franklin Community Center has been selected to become a Google Fiber Community Connection! This means our projects and programs will be better than ever because they will have the power of a Google Fiber connection!

Watch the video below to learn more about what Provo will look like with Google Fiber.

El Centro Comunitario de South Franklin ha sido seleccionado a ser una conexión comunitaria de Google Fiber! Nuestros proyectos y programas estarán mejor que nunca, ya que tendrán el poder de una conexión de Google Fiber!

Mira el vídeo para aprender más sobre Google Fiber en Provo.

Check out our Calendar

Don't forget to visit our new website and check out our Calendar to see what events we have going on every week. Come visit us!

No se olvide visitar nuestro pagina del web y ver el horario para ver que eventos tenemos cada semana.
Venga y visitenos!

We Can Master Technology (thanks Google!)

Wait- My Gifts Are Getting Smaller

In 8^th grade, I got a Walkman for Christmas. I carried it around (being careful not to move too vigorously lest the CD skip) and jammed out. This was incredible, I thought, I can listen to music anywhere. When I was in 10^th grade, I got my very first mp 3 player This was amazing, I thought, I no longer have to carry around a pack of CDs! I did notice a trend- as I got older my gifts became less numerous and they were a lot smaller in size. My parents were paying a lot more money for fewer products- but they were just so cool!

It is easy to have mixed feelings about the effects of technology because like anything else, there are pros and cons. It is indisputable however; that technology is the way of the future and that it can accomplish some pretty amazing things.

Our Families and Their Futures

Our youth and young adults have grown up in arguably the most innovative and technologically driven decades in our nation’s history. 70% of the jobs that will be available to our youth when they graduate high school do not even exist yet. These jobs will likely be in Computer Information and Technology (IT), since IT jobs are expected to grow 22% through 2020- the year our eighth graders graduate high school.

It is to our advantage that we make the effort to ensure that our youth are prepared for their future. They need exposure to technology in and outside of school.

It may be difficult to keep up with all of the advances and changes; but we as adults must learn with our kids. How else can we make sure that their experiences and time with computers, the internet, and other devices is constructive?

Don’t forget about grandma and grandpa- they need to be connected too. There is a technology generation gap; where our youth are eager adopters of technology but their grandparents are bewildered by their “obsession” with these gadgets.

But our grandparents may be feeling left behind. If they want to look something up, the internet is the place to go. If they want to speak to their grandchildren, it might be easier to text them. If they want to look for jobs, nearly all applications are online.

Fortunately, there is a growing movement toward helping our grandparents get connected. Training them to harness the powers of technology improves their social engagement, health and well-being, and opportunities for creativity, learning, and activism.

What We Can Accomplish

The South Franklin Community Center has partnered with Google to start its own technological initiative in southwest Provo. With a donation from Google, we now have the ability to provide the opportunity to use a computer and the internet. We have an open computer lab Monday-Thursday from 5:00 to 6:30.* Our youth and adults are already learning; they have set up email accounts, practiced their typing skills, and learned how to research information online.

As families grow together toward mastering technology they can accomplish incredible things.

Making a difference has gone digital. Online campaigns and donations are the way of our future. Millennials (our youngest generation) are already making an impact online- one young adult used cat memes to raise over $60k for animals with disabilities.

We can create positive impact in our community; especially with the power of the internet. We encourage you to start adventure today by finding volunteer opportunities or donating online. A good place to start is the South Franklin Community Center website!

We wish you a joyful giving season and skill in figuring out your new electronic devices. You can do it!

- (The computer lab will be closed from December 16th to January 5th). 

- Sources: Older Adults Technology Services. National Public Radio. ComputerWorld. A Platform for Good. 

Thank You American Express

Great News! A couple of weeks ago the South Franklin Community Center received a grant from the American Express Center for Community Development.

The American Express Center for Community Development (CCD), in its efforts to build strong communities, provides grant opportunities to local nonprofit organizations serving local neighborhoods. The South Franklin Community Center is a program run by our local non-profit United Way of Utah County. United Way applied for and received this generous grant from the CCD. 

For more than 40 years, United Way of Utah County has been involved in creating lasting change in our community. They partner with people and organizations from across the state to achieve their goals regarding their primary focus of building financially stable families, preparing children to succeed in school and beyond and creating a healthy community. Their work has impacted the lives of residents all over Utah County.

The South Franklin Community Center also focuses on these three areas of income, education, and health by: providing access to programs that promote individual growth and achievement; encouraging community participation and leadership; and offering a space where residents can become more invested and connected.

The programs are the backbone of these efforts, and the community center runs 15 regular programs in partnership with other organizations. Each program and partnership is carefully selected and developed to provide the best educational and learning experience possible at the center. (Check out our “Thank You to our Partners!” portion of our blog to see who we work with!)

A scene from UVU after-school tutoring program that operates at the
South Franklin Community Center Monday-Friday from 3:30-5. 

The South Franklin Community Center has been in operation since 2006. It began as a small group effort to address some pertinent problems facing the Franklin South neighborhood in southwest Provo. Several years later the center became a tangible place, when Horizon Management (owners of the Boulder’s apartment complex) donated a space in their complex for the community center’s use. This past September, a brand new building at 770 S 700 W became the new South Franklin Community Center (see here).

The community center has experienced many exciting steps forward this year. The new building became operational in early September and the programs and kids marveled at the new space they could call their own. Another successful season of soccer was completed just as the leaves began to fall. New programs have been added to the community center; including a Boys & Girls Club after-school program for teenagers. The community center opened a small computer lab for residents to come use the computers, learn, and use the internet. These are just a few examples of our progress.

A great photo from our Fall 2013 Soccer League! 

The grant from American Express is another exciting step forward that makes us want to dance with joy. We are very hopeful and excited for the future of the community center. The grant from American Express will allow us to continue our efforts and achieve our goals. Our main goals are to continue to stabilize and strengthen existing programs, and to reach out to new groups of people through the creation of new programs.

We will remember the generosity of American Express whenever we step into the new center; and they will be remembered as the partner that spurred us forward during a time of transition and growth. American Express exemplifies the motto of United Way and the mission of the community center. When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That is what it means to LIVE UNITED.