Business Spotlight for June:
Intel Corporation & NPower

CISA has carried out the Partner School Process with local elementary schools since 2001. These two to three year formal partnerships bring non-academic resources to students and their families so students can learn and successfully prepare for life. The initial business education partnership with Intel Corporation began in 2002 with J.B. Sutton Elementary School.

After the terms of the formal partnership ended in 2004, Intel Corporation and CISA decreased its presence in order to allow the school to continue to grow their own community partnerships and resources. However, CISA is always willing to provide technical assistance and resources to schools after completion of the partnership.

With J.B Sutton having received a computer lab from Intel Corporation, the school was looking to expand opportunities of use beyond the students to the parents and community. NPower Arizona “ensures that all nonprofits can use technology to better serve their communities,” and the organization had a chance to pilot its computer literacy curriculum to J.B. Sutton. After visiting Sutton’s computer lab and discussing the logistics of the program, the course started in mid January 2006.

The pilot program ended in May with astounding reviews from everyone involved. Eighteen adults completed the program and went from not knowing how to power a computer or holding a mouse to typing Word documents and creating PowerPoint presentations with sound and graphics. At the final class the adults graciously thanked the instructors and NPower for offering the course, as they understand the importance of computer skill development.

“It is really great to know that nonprofits and schools can partner to really make a difference,” stated Intel Corporation Community Relations Manager and NPower Board of Directors volunteer Renee Levin.

Many adults stated they had the confidence to seek employment opportunities with their new skills, and one gentleman earned a promotion at the auto parts store he is employed. Once the funding is gone and the formal partnerships are complete, CISA continues to provide quality goods and services to schools, especially when they demonstrate a true meaning of collaboration.