ABOUT OUR COMPUTER LAB
by Mariam Cheshire

Erling said, "It's our two year anniversary."

I looked up from the computer screen and asked, "Two years of what?"

"September - when we set up the computers in the little room."

I was amazed. TWO YEARS! Like a love affair . . . it has been like only yesterday and like forever.

How did we get from casual conversation to a full fledged nonprofit status Computer Lab complete with DSL?

Sit back, have a cup of coffee and I'll tell you the story.

(Note: In order not to get slowed up, I'm generally going to skip names as we go through this tale and will add them at the end.)

Actually it started before the two years. Several of us living at the Westward Ho had computers. From time to time casual chit-chat about "how to" and "how to fix" took place. We put together an email list to keep in contact and on August 16, 1999, there were 16 persons living at the Ho with email.

From this kind of beginning a plan grew for a meeting for anyone interested in computers. This was held on September 9th with ten persons attending. (Note # 1)

And thus began the dream. Consider the scene: We live in HUD housing, we are either disabled or senior citizens and our income is limited. However, that doesn't mean that the minds have stopped working.

Our dream at that moment consisted of setting up a couple of computers so that all residents could have access to this new world. We talked about getting Juno for e-mail and Internet access. The cost would be $120 for a year. The phone line would be provided by the Westward Ho. We dug into our pockets and pulled out the necessary funds to show our dedication to the project. Little did we know where it would lead!

There had been a recent change in management with Daneen Laliberte (Manager) and Diane Edelen (Taking Care of Everything) beginning their jobs in the front office. (Note # 2)

"Sure, lets do it!" came the answer to our call for help. They found a cubbyhole of a room, set up several tables, and donated two old computers.

Our other "ace in the hole" has been Rodney Earp. Without Rodney, none of this would have happened. Rodney produced two more computers. We are talking OLD computers, slow, break-down-and-put-them-back-together type of machines. Rodney had been teaching himself by trial and error and he got lots more practice with our new Lab.

Residents began wandering in to the little room to see what was going on, would sit down, a volunteer would show what a computer could do. Since the room was so small, four students were crammed in back-to-back, no room for instructor to move around. Wheelchairs were difficult to fit in.

Fourteen persons attended the Nov. 10th meeting and 24 persons were on the e-mail mailing list. At the Dec. 8th meeting, we had progressed far enough to plan a Basic Computer course to begin on January 13th. Ellen Bayliss began teaching a course on Word for Windows.

Our Management saw the problem that we were having with space and came to the rescue. A larger room was found and we moved our equipment on Jan. 27th, 2000. We had to admit it was rather grubby, but we didn't care, we sat on lawn chairs and had room for wheelchairs and more residents came in to check this out.

We had thought we would be happy with just more space, but our dream began growing. We wanted MORE. We found out that we were eligible for HUD salvage materials and a letter was composed to request components that would upgrade our old equipment. On Friday, Feb. 25th, we picked up six computers from the HUD salvage department and brought them home to a joyous welcome. Rodney spent the weekend putting the best of all computers together. (Note # 3)

Gradually our work force acquired some form. We had volunteers on duty every day from 9 to 11 am and 2 to 4 pm. Almost from the start, we had agreed that this would be a volunteer type of activity and everyone would take the responsibility for their shift.

It was March, we were rolling along and the time came for the next step. Management had the Lab cleaned and painted a lovely blue, new carpeting installed, contributed sturdy chairs that weren't falling apart and (joy of joys!) had our computers networked together. Since we had so little space on each computer, we planned to allot the programs to the 'server' and work from there.

Our goal by now had become to upgrade these computers so we would have room to add more advanced programs. Dues for the Lab are $2.00 per month for those who can afford to pay. Rodney has put left over parts together to make computers that we can sell to those who want them for their apartment. The price for these is $25 and up. If we have to buy extra components, (CD rom drive, sound card, modem, etc), that makes the price go up a bit.

With our room prettied up, eight of the 486 and Pentium 100 computers actually working, and 33 people on our email list, it became time to celebrate.

On March 30, 2000, we had our Grand Opening. A festive luncheon was served, HUD officials were present to congratulate us, and the ballroom was packed with our residents. The Computer Users Group members were proudly wearing special tee shirts which Ellen Bayliss had designed for the occasion. As part of our ceremonies, Certificates of Achievement were presented by Daneen Laliberte to the first graduating class.

A path was made from the ballroom to the Computer Lab with shiny CDs. The ribbon cutting honors were given to Terry Goddard, State Coordinator of HUD and John Bentz, President of Property Advisory Group for Westward Ho. That was a glorious milestone for us. (Note # 4)

The next step soon became apparent. We needed some organization instead of just letting whatever happens, happen. A five person Board of Directors was formed with a primary purpose of obtaining nonprofit status. (Note # 5)

Patricia Brown, Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Program, was contacted. She gave us support and referred us to Tom Connelly, Attorney with MicroAge, Inc., for help. Tom graciously led us through the maze of paperwork to set up a nonprofit Corporation, correcting and helping on our efforts.

The Arizona Republic was advised of what was going on and they sent a reporter and photographer to check out the activities at the Historic Ho. (see the article "Email Ho")

After the article appeared in the newspaper, the phone began ringing. Our two very best assets came from replies to our call for help in the newspaper.

Denise Thatcher emailed that she would volunteer to teach a class. Her employer, APS, generously allowed her the time to come over on Wednesday afternoons. She took on the task of the Advanced class, showing residents what a computer can do. (Note # 6)

Mercedes Murphy, former computer saleslady, called to ask if she could be of help. (See her story, LadyMercedes.com) Mercedes has become our one-on-one person, going to the aid of anyone who needs help with either software or hardware. She also teaches a "tear it apart, put it back together" class.

Both Denise and Mercedes have become true friends and an integral part of our group, their popularity shown by the fact that they were elected to our Board of Directors by the Computer Users Group.

More donations began to come in. Cars parked in front of the Ho, opened their trunk, left computer and/or components at the front desk and didn't even wait for a 'thank you.' Others called or emailed to ask if we wanted such-and-such and we were always happy to say "YES." (Note # 8)

OK, by now the dream was getting larger. We wanted even more. We were using one computer with one phone line set up for email. People had to wait to get to this computer and it was slow.

We wanted broadband. We wanted eight computers working on email/internet at the same time. That was going to require upgrading our computers to have more speed and oomph.

The University of Phoenix came to our rescue. We received an email asking if we were interested in donations? Wow, were we interested! Rodney and I took my old pickup over to one of their beautiful schools, and met with Catherine Reimer and Lynn Marquis, (Public Relations /Communication department). We brought home two truckloads. This was EXACTLY what we needed to give us the power necessary for DSL.

Rodney went to work, dismantling, putting together, upgrading, redoing, networking.

By this time Rodney had become a semi-expert in networking, what it takes, trial and error, working late at night to figure it out. But -- to shorten the story -- yes, we did get it all going. There were visits to our computer salvage place for parts. There were calls to those who give us advise. There were times we almost gave up.

And here I have to give credit to some special people who have helped us throughout this building process or we would have been stuck. (Please see Special Note No. 7)

We were always cautious in the way we spent money and now we had the ingredients for broadband. We had computers with enough power (most have 200 mhz and at least a gig of space) and we had enough money in the bank to order DSL.

There were still obstacles in the path, back up and start over again, but one by one, we conquered them. And on May 15, 2001, it all came together. We had eight computers networked and on DSL.

The dream became a reality.

However there was a bit more icing for the cake. Tim Watrous walked in the door of the Westward Ho, thinking he might volunteer to push a few wheelchairs around or read to someone. He mentioned that he had just taken a new job in the area and his expertise is setting up web pages.

He got a quick change of plans when he was escorted up to our beautiful Computer Lab. He asked, "Do you want help in setting up a web page?"

Well, . . . now that you mention it . . . that is exactly what we want.

After a hard day's work, Tim has come to our Lab on Monday and Thursday evenings and taught us about html and how it all works.

We may not have this web page perfect, but it has been fun experience doing it.

There are over 50 residents living at the Ho who now have a computer. Those who don't have a computer, use the email in the Lab to keep in touch with friends and family. The Internet is another popular feature and it is great to have the resources for several people checking on news or other interests at the same time. We have lost track of the number of persons who have taken classes in Beginning, Advanced, Word, Excel, Email, Internet, and general interest courses.

The Computer Lab has donated five game computers (no modem) to the general mezzanine area where residents play games any time of the day or night. After playing games, most get the urge to learn more and enroll in classes.

The Computer Lab has loaned computers, helped fix computers, and set up educational courses for those who are taking classes.

We are the home for the Ho Happenings, the monthly newsletter edited by Gerry Hitt and written by Ho residents.

As far as we know, we are the only HUD facility that has a Computer Lab set up and operated by residents only. If there are any more out there, please contact us and we would love to compare notes.

Where are we going from here? We don't know. We don't have any clues as to what will happen tomorrow. But for now, we give the high five and say "We did it!"

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Note # 1: Those attending the first meeting of Sept. 9th, 1999: Ellen Bayliss, Mariam Cheshire, Dorothy Crews, Larry Deakins, Erling Eaton, Margaret Elliott, Cami Hall, Ronald Oliver, Roy Taylor, Larry Welch

Note # 2: Daneen is now in Texas and Diane is in Colorado. All of us in the Computer Lab appreciate their contribution and encouragement and know we could not have accomplished it all without their help.

Note #3: And a big THANK YOU for Sheryl Ryan.

Note # 4: Terry Goddard, State Coordinator of HUD, who is a part of this neighborhood from way back, was pleased to have been asked to the Graduation Ceremony. Other personnel from HUD were Sally Thomas, Director, Multi-Family, Phoenix Programs Center; Steve Langstaff, Supervisor, Project Manager; Rebecca Flanagan, Deputy State Coordinator and Sandra Trepper, Project Manager. Representing Westward Ho were John Bentz, President of Property Advisory Group for Westward Ho and Don Miner, Attorney.

Note #5: The first Board of Directors consisted of Mariam Cheshire, Nola Clare, Rodney Earp, Erling Eaton, and Victor Pawlak. The second Board of Directors consisted of Mariam Cheshire, Terri DeMuro, Erling Eaton, Diane Edelen, Denise Hatcher, Mercedes Murphy, and Stratton Powell. We lost two Board members when Diane moved to Colorado and Stratton resigned due to other commitments.

Note # 6: APS also has a "Volunteer Matching Gift Program." Because Denise contributed her time, APS contributed $125, representing their commitment to match the volunteer efforts of their employees. As it happened, this came at a time when our large monitor, used by visually handicapped persons, had quit on us. With this fund, we purchased another to fill this need.

Special Note # 7: A partial list of those who have helped us.
Nick at Computer Parts Exchange, Phoenix. It wouldn't surprise us if he dreads our calls, but he has always been cheerful and given us good answers, good help.

Todd Wilson from Rodney's church has visited our Lab to get us out of complete jams.

Mike at Westech Recyclers, who lets us rummage for the parts we need.
Marc at Sun Valley Recharge who has been our expert on printers and cartridges and refills.

Fred Cheshire, my son, who has a job he loves at Gary Tang Adult Education and Ed Lewis, my retired brother in Indiana, who can fix anything. They both probably groan when they receive our HELP messages, but again, they ALWAYS COME THROUGH.

Note # 8: We probably are missing some names and we apologize. Let us know if we missed your name. Here is the list we have of persons who have helped us with their donations:
Area Agency on Aging; Janine Calhoun; Fred Cheshire; Computer Parts Exchange; Gerry Crane; Bob Eldridge; Jim Hall; Gary and Marsha Hamilton; Cindy Housenga; Mary James; Aileen Johnson; Trevor Hattaway; Steave Kantarowski; Dave Kantrud; Richard Keleman; Lee Klose; Ed Lewis; Arlene Mathieson; Ted McKinney; Ed Morris; Melissa Morrison; Paul and Donna Morrison; Edward Ober; Daniel J. O'Connor; Jerry Parr; Phoenix College; Jim Ramsey; Shirley Regonini; George Spencer; Denise Thatcher; University of Phoenix; Ed Walker; Weight Watchers of Arizona; Westech Recyclers; Carolyn Woolf.