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Family Re-Union 8: Family and Community |
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Selected Links
for Family and Community
Roundtable #9
Efficient links between people and neighborhoods; transportation, communication and access to technology
Communications and Technologies:
"Communities
on-line: community-based computer networks"
An article addressing the topic of community computer networks. Includes
an assessment of the benefits of such networks, as well as a review of
some of the criticisms. Also contains an extensive Appendix with detailed
descriptions of existing community networks.
Northfield Citizens
Online
Home page to Northfield Minnesota’s locally based, non-profit organization
working to strengthen the civic life of the community via the Internet.
"Local government
and the information highway"
Link to a discussion of why local governments should care about the information
highway, including detailed advice on how municipalities can develop effective
strategies for planning their telecommunications infrastructure.
Tools
and Resources for Livable Communities
Links to software, data, information, and technical assistance to analyze,
strengthen, or inform individuals and communities in moving toward community
action. Contains links to sites on (among others) environmental protection,
emergency management, geologic mapping, resource education, environmental
recovery, university and college programs and urban dynamics. This site
is part of the U.S. government's Livable Communities website.
Twin Cities Free-Net
Home page to TCFN, a non-profit organization that promotes community through
electronic communication. Links the people of Minneapolis, St. Paul and
neighboring communities.
Minnesota e-democracy
Home page of the nonpartisan citizen-based project, whose mission is to
improve participation in democracy in Minnesota through the use of information
networks.
Blacksburg Electronic Village
This site is an outreach effort of Virginia Tech University in partnership
with the Town of Blacksburg and Bell Atlantic. A public-private partnership,
BEV provides support and assistance to other communities in establishing
on-line networks and is involved in researching and evaluating community
networking. BEV is committed to community-wide and inexpensive Internet
access for all members of the community.
The WELL
An on-line gathering place containing over 260 virtual "conferences" on
a wide variety of interests of its members from around the world. Contains
links to readings and discussions on virtual communities.
Virtual Worlds
Resources: Virtual communities
An extensive listing of resources compiled by Howard Rheingold, founder
of "The Well," including articles, papers, critiques, websites, and other
information related to virtual communities.
UCLA Center for the Study
of Online Communities
Home page of the center which seeks to present and foster studies that
focus on how computers and networks alter people’s capacity to form
groups, organizations, institutions and how the networks serve the collective
interests of members of these communities.
Civic
Network Television
An organization that links communities across the nation through live
satellite interactive workshops on topics related to the challenges facing
communities.
American Association of Retired Persons
Website of the AARP includes information on how to connect with others
via the Internet in expansive and practical ways for the older adult.
Neighborhoods Online
An online resource center established to help community organizations
make effective use of Internet resources to meet the needs of their neighborhoods.
Illinois Intergenerational
Initiative: technology linking generations
This site contains an overview of programs that exemplify civic involvement
and the interrelationship of youth and elders through the use of computer
technologies. The Initiative is sponsored by the Illinois Board of Higher
Education and Southern Illinois University.
SeniorNet
An award winning site whose mission is to provide older adults education
for and access to computer technology. Includes on-line courses, policy
discussions, articles, book clubs, issue forums and other areas and links
of interest to older adults.
Virtual
Volunteering
This site lists opportunities for on-line volunteering
for nonprofit organizations. The site is meant to eliminate barriers which
prevent people from getting involved (work schedules, transportation issues
or disabilities, etc.). Virtual volunteering allows anyone to contribute
their time and expertise without leaving office or home.
Access to Information: literacy
LibertyNet
Home page to the non-profit corporation supported by the University of
Pennsylvania, the Ben Franklin Technology Center among others. It is Philadelphia's
largest online provider of regional information including on-line access
to educational resources, economic development and non-profit organizations.
The philosophy of LibertyNet is to empower community members through information
access.
Libraries for the Future
A national organization dedicated to information equity, literacy and
the preservation and renewal of libraries as essential tools for a democratic
society. The organization communicates and demonstrates the value of public
libraries as centers for literacy, community development, cultural vitality
and democratic participation.
AmericaReads
An initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, AmericaReads calls
on all Americans to support teachers and help ensure that every American
child can read well and independently by the end of 3rd grade.
The challenge seeks to accomplish this by marshaling the resources of
entire communities -- teachers, parents, schools and libraries, faith
communities, universities, students and senior citizens -- to teach our
children to read.
National Center for Family Literacy
The NCFL supports family literacy services for families across the Untied
States through programming, training and research. This site contains
family literacy facts and figures, information on welfare reform and literacy,
and other literacy-related links.
The Internet Public Library
This award-winning site contains a vast store of links to on-line information
sources worldwide. Housed at the University of Michigan's School of Information,
the IPL's mission includes directives "to create a strong, coherent sense
of place on the Internet" and to provide library services to the Internet
community. The site contains links to hundreds of on-line newspapers across
the United States and around the world as well as access to information
and reference databases. Bookmark this one!
Transportation:
Community Transportation Association of
America
Home page of the CTAA, an association of organizations and individuals
committed to improving mobility for all people. The association is especially
concerned over the estimated 75 million people at risk of being unable
to provide or afford their own transportation and are likely to be dependent
on others for their mobility within their communities.
Office of Community
Transportation Services: Austin, Texas
An example of an organization that works collaboratively with state and
federal agencies, local communities, and stakeholders toward a future
where transportation will never be a barrier to participation in a community's
health and human service programs.
Minnesota Department
of Transportation: Sustainable Transportation Initiatives
The mission of the Sustainable Transportation Initiatives Group is to
help Minnesota build sustainable community transportation systems that
integrate bicycling, pedestrians, and teleworking with traditional transportation.
http://www.livablecommunitites.gov.toolsandresources/transportation.htm
Part of the U.S. Government's "Livable Communities" website. Contains
links to information on bike/pedestrian issues, commuter choices, employer-provided
transportation, transportation partnerships, grants, youth involvement,
among others. Well worth a bookmark!