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Computers for Students

Year 2007 Activity Report

 
Note: We are again thankful to have had Tom Bateman to help us rebuild computers, working in his own home workshop. Tom did most of the required rebuilding, allowing Bill to repair and set up the computers for each individual student and give computer lessons to student families in our home in 2007. Thank you Tom, you have made it possible for us to be able to work on some things that have been neglected, and have a life outside of the computer workshop. A special thank you goes to John Wezeman of GVSU Kevin Kubiszewski of Foremost Insurance Company for major equipment donations. We thank Herb Lantinga of Notions marketing for allowing us to store our bus and storage trailer on his property.

Computers for Low-Income students and their families: Year 2007 has again been dominated by our effort to provide computers with Internet access to low income students and their families who can not afford to buy a computer. We now are rebuilding and giving Pentium 800mhz and better computers with 56k modems, and now with low cost DSL Internet connections through AT&T we install network cards. We continue to install mostly 1998SE vintage software for the operating system since we are able to purchase or have Windows 98SE donated to our ministry. Microsoft does not offer new upgrades or technical support for Windows 98SE but there are very few problems with it and it is all that we can afford. We have begun to install Windows XP since we have begun to receive computers with Certificates of Authenticity attached that have never been registered with Microsoft.

We still give programs that allow the student to do their work that is similar and compatible with programs used at their school. We continue to install Open Office, a free version of Office made by Sun Microsystems. We continue to install Mozella FireFox as an Internet browser and Thunderbird as the e-mail program that we install on computers.

Again this year the Public Schools, GR Community College, Davenport College, Michigan Works, United Way, churches and neighborhood associations have actively assisted students to fill out the applications and find volunteer opportunities in the community. They also refer businesses who want to donate computer equipment to us. We continue to have the Kent Intermediate School District office for home schooling (serving students expelled from school) refer parents to our program when they do not have a computer in their home. The United Way refers anyone in crisis that needs a computer to our ministry.  This year we gave about 100 computer systems to students and about 20 computer systems to needy non-profit organizations.

We have begun to provide computers to a program in area schools that organizes parents to spend a total of 40 hours in the schools reading to students and helping them read. They are using getting a free computer as a reward for parents who complete the read to/with students program. The program also teaches the parents how to use the computer.

 

Motor Home Activity Report 2007
 

March 20, 2007

We took the bus to Brown-Hutcherson Ministries as part of a youth-oriented presentation to community youth directors, advisors and agencies. Following a buffet, the Cascade Engineering Team made a presentation of a wholistic program for addressing and meeting the needs of urban youth. Many youth services were in attendance and shared information.

February 15-16 The 2007 Winter Lock -in at YMCA and Bible Church included several church groups and Eastown Ministries. The groups met in the church for a worship time and for many activities. Mr. Alf led the groups in many types of games, including charades using team colors and presentations. After a lot of basketball, computer games, pool table competitions, and other activities we left to go bowling and then to Denny’s Restaurant. Later breakfast was served.

April 26-28 It was planned for a "Black and Reformed" group trip to Palos Heights, Illinois for a conference at Trinity College. Cancelled at last minute- no insurance, no communication, many problems.

May 6 We took the Adult Bible Study group and children to Grand Rapids Township Park for an evening time of fellowship, recreation, and Bible study. We provided the meal which we ate on the bus due to cooler weather and length of stay into darkness.

June 17- 20 A group from St. Francis Xavier Church went north to the Manistee National Forest Campground for spiritual development, group activities and fun in the forest. The site near Mesick, Michigan was beautiful and memorable trips included a hike, swimming in the river, swinging from a rope on the high bluff into the river.

June 23 A group of teens from Eastown Ministries went to a pro basketball alumni game at Cornerstone. The intermission featured a presentation by a Christian athlete, and the half-time crew included basketball juggling and amazing individual and group basketball handling tricks.

July 16 Eastown Ministries received free tickets to a Whitecaps baseball game from Maranda and a group went to enjoy the game, the setting, and the whole experience of WhiteCaps baseball.

July 30-31 Saranac Branch Adventures was the site for a group from Eastown Ministries to enjoy the outdoors, learn about nature, try horseback riding, watch a movie outside, and share a worship time. It was very active and a lot of fun for the participants. After dinner, there was a rocket launching , and a bonfire in the evening

On August 16, Eastown Ministries took a group of teens to Michigan Adventure for a day of fun. Regular attendees enjoyed a long day where two parks are available for rides, games and swimming and water fun.

On August 30, Eastown ministries took a second group of their teens to Michigan Adventure for a day of fun.

October 9 was Corn Maze time in Hudsonville where teens from Eastown Ministries walked through a corn maze, trying to solve Michigan history and geography questions. Many activities were o provided and an inside recreational site was used for relaxing and discussions.

October 20 Saranac Branch Adventures was the site for another group of teens who chose to work on pumpkin carving, sugar bush information, horses, rocket launches, apple cider making with Eastown Teens .

The bus is used throughout the year for picking up computer equipment for the computer ministry, including the latest computer lab at the Homework House on Benjamin S.E. next to Eastown Ministries..