History

“Ideas, conversations, contemplations, decisions and actions result in mass impact: for the individual, family, organization, community and the world.”
--Thaddeus Miles, Program Director

During the planning of the HUD Demonstration-Disposition initiative, a few keen minds at MassHousing and HUD had an idea to create Neighborhood Technology Centers (NTCs) in existing and planned housing developments. Likewise, in academic and other community settings, similarminds generated complementary ideas to create Computer Technology Centers (CTCs). Though thought of in different venues, the core objectives were similar: “to connect people to each other and the larger world through the use of computer-based and driven technologies.”

Conversations initiated by HUD Neighborhood Networks leadership in August 2002 were followed by dialogues between MassHousing, local universities, computer professionals, community leaders, residents and youth. These conversations compelled many committed individuals, organizations and institutions to seriously contemplate the time for, and possibilities of, forming a broad-based CTC/NTC consortium that would open minds, teach skills, share resources and bring diverse communities together.

Through a HUD and MassHousing collaboration, a decision was made to build upon past ideas and conversations, and engage exploratory and focused action designed to achieve meaningful impact within technology centers and the communities that they serve. The result of collaborative activities within this synergistic continuum was the plan for, and creation of, Mass IMPACT (IMproving People’s Access to Computers and Technology).

Since these initial discussions, there has been significant planning, collaboration, and progress. The work supported by HUD and MassHousing resources for the first phase of the consortium development initiative has been documented and will serve as the foundation for future development and growth of Mass IMPACT.