TechBridge Builds Technology From the Ground Up For The 24/7 Gateway Center
Atlanta - July 27 2005. When the new 24/7 Gateway Center opens its doors to Atlanta's homeless today, the facility will come online powered by state-of-the art technology thanks to TechBridge, a nonprofit supporting nonprofits with technology solutions.
Acting under a grant from the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, TechBridge is providing complete technology planning and implementation for the 24/7 Gateway Center, including building a local area network; installing PC hardware and software; setting up specialized homeless shelter management software; implementing security and back up systems; and conducting technical training for Center staff.
The 24/7 Gateway Center will provide an estimated 500 people a day with shelter, medical attention and services that help persons overcome homelessness. The technology infrastructure will enable the Center to efficiently manage their well being and access to resources while at the center, and track their progress as they work towards becoming self sufficient.
“Having the right technology in place and operational when we open our doors is critical to Gateway's immediate and long-term success,” said Vince Smith, Director of the 24/7 Gateway Center. “TechBridge brought essential technical knowledge and expertise to the table and helped us build a solid technology infrastructure that will serve us for years to come.”
“The 24/7 Gateway Center is a shining example of how vision, insight and practical knowledge can come together to create a community asset that will have deep and lasting impact,” said Michael Nachman, Chief Operating Officer, TechBridge. “We are proud to have been a part of this project from the ground floor up, as it allowed us to plan, procure and implement the optimal mix of technology resources to help the Center function smoothly from day one.”
TechBridge worked with the Center throughout the construction of the facility to identify and resolve technology infrastructure issues such as determining the location of approximately 80 network drops and mapping and installing the supporting network cabling. TechBridge also helped the Center determine all of the hardware and software needs for the new facility and is coordinating the procurement and installation of equipment and software, negotiating nonprofit discount rates and submitting orders.
TechBridge is managing the implementation of four servers, a network router, 13 communications switches, 50 PC workstations, seven networked printers and four networked copiers for the facility. TechBridge also created a complete technology infrastructure diagram for the facility that the Center can use to locate and identify technology components should it need to reconfigure space or upgrade systems.
In addition to installing core systems software and desktop tools, TechBridge researched, procured and implemented specialized software for Gateway including Pathways Community Network's Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), Scheduler Plus, a room scheduling software application, and a volunteer management program.
About The 24/7 Gateway Center
The 24/7 Gateway Center is the keystone project of the Regional Commission on Homelessness and part of a broad initiative to build comprehensive services and systems to meet the needs of homeless individuals in the metropolitan area. In a spirit of community collaboration and partnership, to-date more than 50 agencies, departments, faith groups, and service entities support the vision and mission of the Center. AUM Community Ministries, LLC (AUMCM), a subsidiary of Atlanta Union Mission, serves as the operator of the 24/7 Gateway Center in contract with 24/7 Gateway, LLC, a subsidiary of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, who holds the lease on the facility. AUMCM facilitates its operational responsibilities in cooperation with the Regional Commission on Homelessness, chaired by Horace Sibley. Jack Hardin is the commissioner assigned to the project. The Regional Commission on Homelessness is staffed by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. For more information, visit www.gatewayctr.org.
