Technology

Programs that encourage growth

To effectively change the lives of young people who are at risk for recidivism, they must have support in many areas of their lives.  Combining technology training with individual mentoring, students in the Osiris Organization programs are given the best opportunities to truly change their lives.  The technology training builds a strong foundation for their lives and it sets the stage for them to evolve in personal development.

The program concept was developed in 1997 in conjunction with youths at the HCHS.  The Osiris constructed computer centers located in the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s public parks provide open access to technology for the citizens of Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Students have an opportunity to learn as well as enhance current valuable technology skills in these centers. Moreover, new students learn from Osiris graduates, substantially raising the learning experience.  New students are introduced to new skills, while graduates learn the value of being a positive role model.

Training provides the foundation

Osiris Organization works with at-risk youth and young people transitioning from the Hennepin County Home School teaching them computer skills that provide the foundation for a different life. While no computer class will change a life, it sets the stage for other aspects of the program that truly can.

Real jobs provide a chance to be a role model

Osiris Organization gives young people positive role models to look up to, but we also encourage them into positive role models for younger children. By teaching them to take the lead and set a good example, Osiris Organization teaches them the value of living a productive life. With full and ongoing training, Osiris also hires former HCHS residents as computer instructors, working in computer centers in public parks.

Community Computer Centers provide a home and employment opportunities

Osiris built a computer center at HCHS and in a number of community parks in collaboration with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. These centers give young people a chance to learn much-needed computer skills. The young people learn from older youth who are involved in the Osiris Organization, giving both the mentor and the student a chance to learn valuable skills. The younger child learns skills he or she needs, and the older child learns the value of teaching skills they’ve learned and being a positive role model.

Employment Program

The program provides students with 6-month paid employment opportunities in several of the 27 computer centers in the MPRB.   The graduates work 20 hours per week and assist the park directors in other areas when needed.

The training includes:

• advanced internet operations, office suite applications, and technical support
• supervision of the computer center
• mentoring at-risk youth

The employment opportunity as a computer instructor gives graduates the ability to mentor other students coming into Osiris Organization’s program.

Advanced Technology Training

Once students successfully complete our program, they transition to other forms of employment in the community.  Several graduates continue to receive advanced technology training through Osiris and other educational avenues.

Additional training includes:

• Server setup and configuration
• Remote systems management
• Technical support training to monitor all of the 27 computer centers in the MPRB
• Utilizing Google’s adsense & marketing program to show youth how to take advantage of generating revenue online
• Using WordPress as a vehicle for self publishing and creating valuable content
• Search engine optimization that teaches students how to be discovered on the internet
• Opportunities for entrepreneurs via the web

Computer Centers and Facilities

Hennepin County Home School

14600 County Road 62
Minnetonka, MN

Hennepin County Home School has the distinction of being the first computer center Osiris Organization constructed.

With a network of 13 computers, students in the Hennepin County Home School receive training in several computer graphic applications and office suite.

Participation in computer technology education and training is currently one of the more popular extra-curricular activities at Hennepin County Home School. School officials are implementing new schedules to accommodate the increasing demand for computer center training. HCHS staff and volunteers instruct the youth in these after-school programs.

Contact Bill Roddy at broddy@osirisorganization.org

Powderhorn Community Park

3400 15th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Powderhorn Park is one of the largest Osiris constructed computer centers in the Minneapolis Park System. This center features a network of 14 computers. Program participants receive training in office suite applications, website development, networking instruction, graphic applications, and other software applications. For more information about the Powderhorn Community Park Computer center and programming schedule, please call (612) 370-4960 and the phone numbers list below each park.