What are Community Technology Centers (CTCs)?
Community Technology Centers provide computer access and educational services using information technology. In general, people who visit CTCs do not own computers, and many do not have access to computers at work or school. CTCs make computers, the Internet, and various software packages available. The Department envisions funding CTCs that are diverse in the populations they serve and programs they offer, but similar in that they provide technology access to individuals, communities, and populations that typically wouldn’t otherwise have places to use computer and telecommunications technologies. Community Technology Centers have their origins in Harlem, New York where Playing to Win’s (PTW) Community Computing Center opened in 1983. In 1992, Playing to Win was awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to help create a network of neighborhood technology access providers. Through technical assistance efforts, PTW helped spur the development of 50 centers, represen
