enrich SUMMER 2011
philanthropy in our community
BGTIME Finds New Home
BGTIME began in 2008 when The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation issued a national challenge grant to community foundations to find creative uses of media and technology to help keep communities informed and their citizens engaged. Led by the Community Foundation, a team with representatives from the University of South Carolina, IFRA Newsplex, Benedict College, The State Media Company and South Carolina ETV designed a winning two year grant with the primary purpose of bridging ethnic, economic, educational, and especially generational lines to raise digital literacy among seniors, enhancing their participation in civic dialogue. The program was coordinated in the University of South Carolina’s renowned IFRA Newsplex multimedia facility. There, students from the University of South Carolina and Benedict College were trained and then dispatched to senior centers and other community organizations to provide guidance to seniors and teach them the skills needed to use this online community forum and help bridge the digital divide. The first students
inside
were trained in the summer of 2009 and the site fully launched in the fall. The BGTIME program continued to evolve and grow over the last two years. From the beginning of the project, the advisory committee’s goal was to make this program sustainable after our two-year funding was exhausted. We are very happy to announce that BGTIME will continue to grow and thrive under the leadership of the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging. The Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging is the statewide leader for advocating, planning and developing resources to meet the needs of older South Carolinians. The agency works with a network of regional and local organizations to develop and manage programs and services to improve the quality of life of South
Carolina’s older citizens, and to help them remain independent in their homes and communities. “The Office on Aging provides a natural home for the successful
Collaborative Impact
page 2
New Board Trustees
page 3
President’s Letter
page 3
44 Scholarships Awarded
page 4
The Walker Foundation
page 5
Dates to Remember
page 6
continuation of the BGTIME program,” said JoAnn Turnquist. “BGTIME project manager Carolyn Holderman has worked closely with the Office on Aging to ensure a smooth transition for the program.” Through their network, BGTIME will be introduced to residents of all counties in South Carolina. Seniors and their loved ones who would like to use digital media to share their experiences and perspectives can email stories, pictures, video and audio clips to: bgtime@scstatehouse.gov. You can use your home computer, go to the library, head to a senior center or even do it from a smart phone. “BGTIME provides a social and creative outlet for seniors to contribute to the recorded history of South Carolina using newer technologies,” said Lt. Gov. Ken Ard. “Older adults benefit from the program, which provides the opportunity to learn new things, form friendships and exercise mentally.” In addition to re-launching BGTIME.org and bringing this project
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
We are a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and community leaders to areas of need. Join us on Facebook for the latest news Our page is public, so you don’t have to join Facebook to view it.