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About the Computer Resource Centers

What We Do:

Our goal is to provide historically underserved communities in New York City with free multimedia computer access.

How We Do It:

Located inside public Recreation Centers in all five boroughs of New York City, Computer Resource Centers are labs where people of all ages can play and learn in a safe, structured environment. We provide formal classes and informal drop-in time to help users of all ages advance their education and careers. We also organize mentoring projects, sponsor job training sessions and hold academically focused contests.

Who We Serve:

An average of 1750 people use our centers citywide each week.
63% of our users are children and youth (ages 6-17), primarily participants in Parks afterschool programs. 37% are adults 18 and over.
6% are Public Assistance recipients in the Job Assistance Center program, and 31% are members of the general public who attend our classes and drop-in hours.
Computer Resource Center clients are a diverse group, representing many socio-economic and language backgrounds. By offering free classes focused on office skills and job search strategies, we successfully reach a large audience of low-income families and people on Public Assistance.

Programming for Children and Teens:

We use young people's natural affinity for technology to make learning and self-expression exciting. Through educational games, homework help, Internet research and digital art projects, our young visitors learn transferable skills that they will need in the workplaces of the future, gain a higher comfort level with technology and develop teamwork.

Programming for Adults:

We teach classes for beginners and advanced computer users. Specialized workshops focus on senior citizens and Public Assistance recipients in the Parks Job Assistance Center Program. Our classes help those left behind by the computer revolution to catch up in accessible, low-pressure settings.