Boston's Newest Technology Center Opens Doors With the Help of Cisco Systems, City Year, and Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 1999--The Internet is credited with connecting people around the world. But it can also bring together people in the same city and even the same neighborhood, as one Boston community is discovering.

El Batey Technology Center, in Boston's South End, sports the kind of technology that would make any business proud. It has 18 new personal computers, state-of-the art Internet access, a calendar chock-full of training sessions, and a technical help desk. It has classes on computer basics, such as how to use a mouse, as well as advanced courses on surfing the Web and using graphic-design software.

"El Batey is a remarkable testament to the idea that the best community centers are built through partnerships and up from the grass roots," said David J. Cortiella, Executive Director of Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, a United Way affiliate. "It took the leadership of Cisco Systems, City Year, and Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, and the commitment of the Villa Victoria community, to make the dream a reality. This is a proud day for everyone involved," Cortiella said.

El Batey ("meeting place") opens its doors on February 9 at 100 West Dedham Street in Boston's Villa Victoria residence. Its mission is to provide critical technology access and training to the Villa Victoria community and City Year corps members, and to leverage the Center to teach the next generation of leaders in Boston. Approximately 400 people are expected to use the Center in the first couple of months.

"In a fundamental way, El Batey represents a new model for creating community-based technology centers that make a difference," said Nancy Routh, Deputy Director of City Year Boston. "What has been accomplished here at El Batey through the work of a committed partnership can happen in neighborhoods across the country."

The start-up costs for El Batey Technology Center have been generously provided by several key groups. Cisco Systems, through its New England Development Center in Chelmsford, Mass., donated the computers and Internet equipment. City Year provided a team of dedicated corps members committed to overseeing the project and serving at El Batey. Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA) donated the lab space and contributed the manpower and materials for renovation.

Some describe El Batey as a living center because it is designed to grow and adapt to community need. For instance, Cisco Systems, Bentley College and City Year are developing a technology curriculum for City Year to use throughout its service area. For the residents of Villa Victoria and the South End, IBA has created a monthly calendar of activities to introduce the community to El Batey. The new technology center has also attracted the attention of other companies and community groups.

"The Internet generation is changing the way the world lives, works, plays, and learns, and today El Batey is getting in step with that change," said Gena Pirtle, Manager of Public Relations for Cisco Systems' New England Development Center. "Cisco Systems is proud to contribute to El Batey's success in bridging the technology gap from the neighborhood to the world."

As part of the dedication ceremony, El Batey's supporters launched Champion Chips, a fundraising program to give friends and neighbors an opportunity to help maintain the Center, provide the Internet connection and upgrade software and hardware as needed. The first contributor, OEM.NET, donated one year's Internet access, earning the company a Circuit Board designation, which starts at $2,500. Other designations include: Computer Disk - $25-100; Compact Disk - $250-500; Mouse Pad - $500-750; Mouse - $1,000-1,500; Circuit Board - $2,500 and up.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Nearly 80 percent of all Internet traffic travels via Cisco equipment. Cisco's networking solutions have helped change the way people work, live, play and learn -- allowing people to access or transfer information without regard to differences in time and place. Since opening its offices in the Northeast, Cisco has continued to work as a good corporate citizen. Nearly 1,000 Cisco employees are based in New England, including offices in Lexington, Mass., and a major facility in Chelmsford, Mass., called the New England Development Center. Cisco Systems: "Empowering the Internet Generation." News and information available at www.cisco.com.

City Year is a national youth service organization founded in Boston that unites diverse young leaders, ages 17-24, for a challenging year of full-time service, leadership development and civic engagement. City Year corps members serve on the front line of our nation's most critical issues seeking to eradicate racism and other social barriers that isolate our communities through their powerful service and youth leadership. Corps members fan out throughout the community to mentor and tutor elementary school children, run after-school programs, build urban gardens, renovate housing developments and teach AIDS/HIV and domestic violence curriculums to their peers. News and information available at www.city-year.org.

Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA) is a private, nonprofit, community-based organization established 31 years ago to support the development and empowerment of the Villa Victoria community in Boston's South End. The organization is dedicated to (a) fostering the human, social and economic well being of Villa Victoria residents, (b) promoting and advocating for Latinos city-wide, and (c) preserving the rich Latino culture and artistic heritage. IBA offers numerous programs and services including a bilingual daycare center and after-school program, an arts and cultural after-school program, a peer leadership-training program, and a family support unit, as well as programs for the mentally ill and the elderly. Through its subsidiaries, IBA manages approximately 900 units of affordable housing.