Hi Dennis.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.  I work at a non-profit
community center in town, and we do something similar.  It's called "A
Rainbow Place" and is meant to be a safe and helpful place for GLBT
people.  I run the office...  and I'm also the sysadmin.  (My situation
is unusual/reversed in that I'm a much better sysadmin and programmer
than...  any kind of office worker.  hehe.)

Anyway, we have two computers in the lobby, so far, for public access.
One of them is W2k, and the other: W98.  (I do all my work on my
personal Debian system, and the back-end systems are all Linux.)  A
co-worker of mine has been working happily, for the most part, on an old
IMac with Kubuntu installed.  Chances are, this system will soon make
it's way into the lobby though, as an additional public access machine.

I guess the reason I'm bringing this up is that we have a great, active
youth group...  and because we do a fair amount of work with troubled
youngsters.  Kids who grow up gay, or whatever, often find it's much
harder to find healthy places in society.  We strive to be a healthy,
positive resource for ALL who need it;  especially the most vulnerable
segment of the population...  the "faggot" kids who are so often
stigmatized even by their own families...  who can so easily turn to
drugs, alcohol, gangs, etc. for relief and fellowship.

So...  I happen to have some tech skills.  I use them to help run the
center and provide services to people who need them.  I do a little
teaching now and then when I find someone is curious about how things
work, or when they want to make a killer web-site.  ;)   The skills I
have are so valuable...  I think trying to pass them on to those around
me, might be one little, but extremely valuable bit I can contribute.

btw, we don't exclude anyone.  we're all about embracing diversity.  we
even welcome the "privileged" ;) straight, white males.  So, if any of
you feel like stopping by, we have a very fun pot-luck every Saturday
evening at 6pm.  I guarantee, if someone talks to you...  they're just
being friendly...  not hitting on you.  haha.  We are normal people of
all ages, genders, races ...  mostly very open minded, accepting, and
(at least trying out best to be) happy.

So, please, If any of you have ideas about how I can use this place to
give underprivileged kids (any and/or all of them...  even the straight
ones) an education in computers and Linux, I would love to hear from
you.  OK?  love it!  :)  drop me a line: 775-789-1780

- Ana



On Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 11:24:50AM -0800, Dennis Bagley wrote:
>    Dear Rluggers,
> 
>    As I have been chastised for not making a formal application and
>    presentation to the Reno Linux Users Group in person at a regular
>    meeting (because my schedule does not permit me to be available on
>    Thursday evenings, hence I have not been able to attend any.) I beg
>    the group's indulgence in putting forth the concept via the list.
> 
>    Background:  A gentleman by the name of David Dehls in conjunction
>    with several others created the Reno Cigar Lions as a branch of the
>    Reno Lions Club.  The primary purpose of this group is to promote
>    and help manage a program they are calling "Computers for Kids".
>    David and friends have enlisted the assistance of Computer Core in
>    Carson City and CompUSA in Reno for some assistance.
> 
>    The purpose of the "Computer for Kids" project is to help
>    underprivileged, at risk (and in some cases semi transient)
>    youngsters in the Reno metro area become comfortable with small
>    computing systems and Linux by getting such computers into their
>    hands for their use.
> 
>    The folks running this program are in continuous need for:
> 
>       Computer Equipment on which Puppy Linux can be installed
>           including GNOME or KDE
>       Individuals willing to help assemble/install systems
>       Individuals willing to help with some knowledge support
> 
>    In IMHO this is the sort of project originally envisioned as part
>    of the public educational purpose of RLUG.
> 
>    I respectfully request to see via the rlug list(s) if there is a
>    consensus to assist in this project as an organization.
> 
>    Viewing responses over the next seven days should be sufficient to
>    make a determination.
> 
>    Thank you
> 
>    Dennis Bagley
> 
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