Digital Mentor Initiative
Connecting youth and adults through technology.

As part of its community outreach program, ATI has developed the Digital Mentor Initiative. By recruiting adult/child teams and providing an atmosphere of mutual achievement, ATI’s Digital Mentor Initiative builds family interaction and personal skills. ATI employs Goodwill’s donated computers as an instructional tool to build technical skills while fostering lasting relationships between youth and adults.

During short seminars in basic PC repair and troubleshooting, participants will learn how to identify and install hardware, load and troubleshoot operating systems, and even build working computers from parts. Even better, the adults and children will diagnose, troubleshoot and fix the computers as a team. If you or your organization is interested in participating, please call or email us.

Workshop Description
In an informal, positive learning environment, we guide adult/child teams through the PC troubleshooting process from identifying parts to troubleshooting software. We can tailor the program to fit the individual needs of the participants. No prior knowledge is required, just a willingness to have fun while learning new skills. Our instructors are industry certified professionals (A+, Network+ and Microsoft Certified Professional) with years of teaching experience.

Outline of Workshop
· Introduction to building and repairing computers.
· Identify individual components in a computer.
· Learn proper troubleshooting techniques.
· Separate hardware problems from software problems.
· Increase knowledge of DOS and Windows operating systems.

Frequently Asked Questions
How can I participate?
Contact your organization and tell them you want to participate. If they don’t already know about the Digital Mentor Initiative, have them email or call Roger Lander at 253-471-0900. ATI presents workshops only to groups from organizations, not the general public. In addition, the focus of the program is making connections between youth and adults. Only groups with teams of adults and children together can participate. Sponsoring organizations could include: churches, schools, unions, Parent Teacher Associations, or any other organization willing and able to have fun in a mixed age, learning environment. We encourage you to contact us directly if you aren’t sure you qualify.

What does it cost?
The cost of the workshop is a willingness to enjoy something new. Otherwise, the workshops are free.

Is there a minimum age for the children?
We can only accommodate adults with children aged 10 years or older.

What is an “adult/child team” exactly?
An adult/child team can consist of any combination of adults and children for which they are responsible. For example, two parents and two children, a parent and one child, a grandparent and grandchild, a child and their legal guardian, or any other adult/child combination so long as the attending adult can be responsible for the minor child or children. Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we request there be at least one adult for every two children. If you feel this should not apply to your group, contact Roger Lander to discuss this further.

How long is the workshop?
The workshop itself will take approximately three hours. Alternate arrangements for longer workshops or workshops spread over multiple days can be made if larger groups (12-20 people) wish to participate.

How many people must be in my group for ATI to put on a workshop?
There is no exact minimum. We prefer there to be at least three adult child teams before we commit to a workshop.

When can we participate?
We make arrangements with each participating organization. The possible hours include anytime Monday through Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. or Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.