Can You Help Computer Labs For Kids?

It's hard to believe, sometimes, that I have known Shira Evans Sandford for 11 years.  She is my long-time chess buddy.  I wrote about her as a featured American player back in the old days when I ran a website called Chess Goddesses, long off-line.

Okay - only the most dire of circumstances would make me post
this photo of Shira and I at the Hales Corners Chess Challenge
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in October, 2010.  I was overweight,
tired and puffy to boot.  Yechy!  I looked every bit my
age in this photo, and I hate it!!!  Shira, as always, is gorgeous.
Well, darlings, she is young enough to be my daughter, ahem.
No, she's not my daughter -- this is not TRUE CONFESSIONS.
But it's to show you what good buds we are -- she came to
Milwaukee with then BF Crispin (now hubby) to play in the HCCC XIII
because I asked her to.  Now that's a friend!  Friends help friends.
I think I need Juviderm...

A million email miles later, our friendship still endures.  Shira, now with husband Crispin Sandford at her side, has focused her organization, Computer Labs for Kids, to bringing knowledge to the kids who need it most -- the poorest of the poor in urban neighborhoods right here in the USA. 

A new component of what they'll be teaching the kids is how to play chess -- introducing them to the game through beginner chess-software as part of teaching them how to use computers.  The kids get a twofer -- they learn the skills they'll need to use just about any computer they can access (in libraries, for instance, and in the classroom) and they'll also be learning the life-changing skills that chess teaches.

A new project is afoot - and $$$ is needed.  Yeah, we all need $$$ these days, don't we.  But I think you'll agree that some things are worth more than others.  This is one of those things:

IPAD CLASS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
Goddesschess made a contribution.  I hope you will find it in your hearts to help out too. 

As you may have noticed through the years, Goddesschess does not solicit for funds.  We fund entirely from our own resources and contributions from friends.  So when we provide sponsorship to a cause or to a tournament, or to fund prizes for chess femmes, it is because we really believe in it with all our hearts.  That's all I have to say.

Season's Greetings from Computer Labs for Kids

From my good buddy, Shira Evans, who recently got engaged to a great guy, whom I've currently got the better of in two online chess games :)  This is a video of Shira's Computer Labs for Kids most recent project in East Los Angeles:



Please consider making a donation to Computer Labs for Kids to help with the good work that Shira is doing, one child at a time.  Thanks - and enjoy the video. 

Hales Corners Chess challenge XII!

It's all over - for now, darlings!

I came, I saw - I lost!  LOL!  Every single game.  I'm exhausted.  I must get in shape, geez!  It's hard work playing against people young enough to be my grandchildren.

Shira Evans, playing black, Round 2, HCCC XII, October 16, 2010.

Today I put my foot where my mouth is and showed up, as promised, at the Hales Corners Chess Challenge XII, together with my friend and chess buddy Shira Evans and new friend Crispin Sanderson.  Crispin didn't play, but he cheered both Shira and I on as Shiras played in the Open, the only chess femme to do so, and I played in the Reserve Section along with five other chess femmes.

For my efforts, despite losing all four games, I have earned a tenative USCF rating of 700-something.  Honestly, I was so tired earlier this evening when I asked Shira to do a preliminary calculation and was right in the middle of cooking supper for us, a very hungry and very tired trio, that I do not remember what she said, but I do remember 700--something.  LOL!

We had filet mignon, mashed new red potatoes drenched in butter and cream, and spring peas that, unfortunately even given a bath under water and then a rescue-me drench in butter in the microwave, turned out icky. They were frost-bit and dried out, nothing could save them, alas.  I should take the package back to the Pick 'n Save and demand my money back!  The steak and potatoes were fab, that saved the evening, plus we were all starving!  Just about anything tastes great when one is starving.  So, my reputation as a five star cook remains, more or less, intact :)

More tomorrow when I've gotten some sleep under my belt.  It's about 1:50 a.m. now  We capped the night off watching that most wonderful movie "Searching for Bobby Fischer" and it reaffirmed to me just why I made a fool of myself today - for the love of the game, which I will never be any good playing because I lack discipline but, you know, as the saying goes, "hope springs eternal."

The good news is that Shira, the only female playing in the Open Section, scored 50%, winnings games 1 and 3.  Preliminarily, we calculated she added ratings points to her ELO.  More tomorrow when full reports will be available on standings and which chess femmes won prizes for their wins and draws.

Computer Labs for Kids: South Central Los Angeles! End Game!

Prior post on Classes 5 and 6. 
Prior post on Classes 3 and 4.
Prior post on Class 2 and Extra - the Pakistan Project!
Prior post on start of the South Central LA Project.

So much has happened!  Here is Shira Evans' blog on Class 7 along with several pictures of the kids.  Everyone looks extremely happy and having a good time. 

The graduates and Shira (she's the tall one at the end).

Last class - information, review and questions/answers and then it's actually Graduation!  August 17, 2010! 

Here is the most recent - perhaps the last - blog on this project - from August 28, 2010.  A well-deserved and heart-felt tribute to my bud, Shira. 

Probably by now Shira has 100 or more project requests backed up - all needing funding and, of course, needing her time to do it.  She has a job like most of us do, to support herself, so all of the organizing, fund-raising, planning, communications, arranging for volunteers, project support, purchasing, travel arrangements, etc. etc. etc. she does in her "spare" time.  Har! 

And, demon woman that I am about chess, I got her playing chess again - at least, online - and - well, guess what!  Oh, you'll never guess in a million years so I'll tell you - Shira made the August, 2010 USCF Quick Ratings List for Chess Femmes in the USA!  See - I told you she was good...

1 Abrahamyan, Tatev (12851435) CA USA 2220

2 Marinello, Beatriz (12537449) NY USA 2177
3 Ross, Laura R (12630804) NY USA 2156
4 Battsetseg, Tsagaan (12719650) MD USA 2121
5 Melekhina, Alisa (12726115) PA USA 2009
6 Robinson, Darrian (12925651) NY USA 1992
7 Chiang, Sarah (13091081) TX USA 1976
8 Mateer, Amanda Rae (12752032) AZ USA 1972
9 Zhu, Caroline (12888833) TX USA 1964
10 Root, Alexey Wilhelmina (10374651) TX USA 1949
11 Vicary, Elizabeth (12477355) NY USA 1942
12 Kats, Alena (12980885) NY USA 1940
13 Marshall, Abby (12784803) VA USA 1938
14 Tilenbaeva, Janyl (14245930) CA USA 1915
15 Niemi, Nicole (12640884) WI USA 1890
16 Yang, Sylvia Siyuan (12909161) TX USA 1883
17 Jamison, Courtney Nicole (12746751) TX USA 1873
18 Kerr, Julia K (12696374) NY USA 1868
19 Zhurbinskiy, Eve D (12878963) NJ USA 1858
20 Matlin, Anna R (12876169) NJ USA 1854
21 Peters, Epiphany M (12937939) MI USA 1846
Acon, Jennifer C (13313093) CA USA 1846
23 Litvak, Eve V (12799901) NJ USA 1841
24 Kennedy, Shernaz (11322000) NY USA 1838
25 Lelko, Rebecca A (12851444) OH USA 1832
26 Skidmore, Jennifer M (12457851) MI USA 1820
27 Wong, Kinsleigh (13314143) AZ USA 1817
28 Dai, Yang (12897613) VA USA 1814
29 Katz, Alanna (12621290) NY USA 1800
30 Liao, Simone (13228302) CA USA 1795
31 Ginzburg, Anna (12758604) NY USA 1790
32 Datta, Anjali (12783131) TX USA 1779
33 Diaz, Linda V (12908194) NY USA 1776
34 Xiang, Ellen (21029572) TX USA 1775
35 Christiansen, Natasha C (11366805) MA USA 1772
36 Flewelling, Heather (12605124) HI USA 1753
Mcgrew, Bethel (12842583) MI USA 1753
38 Goodkind, Lauren (12778910) CA USA 1744
39 Ferguson, Tamara (12778340) PA USA 1739
40 Venkataraman, Madhumitha (12911395) TX USA 1730
Xu, Yue (13533641) IL USA 1730
42 Goodkind, Barbara (12778604) CA USA 1728
Dong, Alice (13398051) NJ USA 1728
44 Munoz, Claudia E (13481236) TX USA 1720
45 Jones, Julia E (12811694) TX USA 1709
46 Bohannon, Angel (12782586) TX USA 1700
47 Liu, Rebekah (12933645) CA USA 1695
48 Poteat, Lilia Meilan (12920065) NY USA 1694
49 Chen, Jasmine (13217481) NY USA 1675
50 Koong, Joanne (13136738) CA USA 1673
51 Xiang, Evan (12966415) TX USA 1670
52 Francis, Emily (12800537) GA USA 1667
53 Liu, Hannah (13466272) TX USA 1665
54 Foley, Sayaka B (12918743) AZ USA 1656
55 Sobel, Simone (12607573) CA USA 1655
56 Alarie, Donna (12447542) MA USA 1651
Hua, Margaret M (13289400) MO USA 1651
58 Kormanik, Katharine (12641476) UT USA 1643
59 Evans, Shira L (12653192) CA USA 1640
Murra, Mayra (12880265) CA USA 1640
61 Chen, Michelle Xueying (12918779) MA USA 1634
62 O'Neill, Julie Anne (10457262) TX USA 1627
63 Carson, Anthea J (12614322) CO USA 1625
64 Walsh, Sara R (12457717) NC USA 1624
65 Regam, Jessica Shor (13467370) PA USA 1622
66 Vohra, Sonya (12902778) IL USA 1620
67 Wright, Polly P (11041957) NY USA 1618
68 Hung, Charlina (12878777) TX USA 1616
69 Karamsetty, Madhu Spanditha (12887934) VA USA 1614
70 Abderhalden, Katherine Louise (13405085) ME USA 1612
71 Alilovic, Miran (13184893) OH USA 1606
72 Ravi, Saisree (13334345) MN USA 1604
Tallo, Emily (13526540) IN USA 1604
74 Lin, Jessica (13039505) TX USA 1603
75 Costescu, Sanda (12430617) VA USA 1600
76 Zhang, Victoria (12923386) TX USA 1599
77 Mccreary, Taylor (13656773) CA USA 1597
78 Garg, Elisha C (12760037) CA USA 1594
79 Ahlemann, Brenda (13144702) UT USA 1593
80 Virkud, Apurva (13464694) MI USA 1591
81 Pierson, Emma J (12926393) VA USA 1589
Zhao, Annie (13473022) TX USA 1589
83 Lauser, Jessica T (12593821) AK USA 1587
84 Treiman, Lauren Sara (13190697) UT USA 1586
85 Mc Roberts, Holly J (12822112) NM USA 1581
86 Ramos, Kristin N (12862965) TX USA 1580
87 Bailey, Taylor (12824524) OR USA 1575
88 Roy, Ananya, Ms (12921220) GA USA 1572
89 Gibson, Graham (12777372) TN USA 1563
90 Eng, Rachael (13189664) AZ USA 1556
91 Ding, Kimberly (13218531) NJ USA 1552
92 Hu, Dianna (12938312) NY USA 1548
Fermin, Jasmine M (13281136) NY USA 1548
94 Tran, April (13446290) VA USA 1547
Wise, Katherine Elizabeth (14092530) CO USA 1547
96 Liu, Emily (13321018) TX USA 1543
97 Erabelli, Saroja (12932122) VA USA 1542
98 De Sa, Jacquelyn M (12837187) AZ USA 1536
99 Ballom, Stephanie (12757909) TX USA 1531
100 Kulkarni, Sukhada Nitin (13277014) OH USA 1529

Way to go, kiddo, and it's your move in our current game :)  Just wait until I retire and have the time to take some more lessons from Laura and Dan Sherman - just wait Shira, and World - there's a chess genius somewhere inside of me, just waiting to learn the difference between a pawn and a Queen, whom I regularly sacrifice with reckless abandon. 

Computer Labs for Kids: South Central Los Angeles - Classes 5 and 6!

The latest from the Computer Labs for Kids blog on the project in South Central Los Angeles (classes 5 and 6). Please visit Shira Evans' CL4K blog for photos and additional information, including a new fundraising endeavor which is sure to please moms of young kids everywhere - check out the wood block letter puzzles :) 

Saturday, July 26, fifth class.
I was excited to see that the kids brought two of their friends with them to our class this Saturday.

We had so much fun! The first thing we did was take apart an iBook. The kids took turns putting the laptop parts back in place.

They learned where the memory is located and how to replace it.

Next we watched three videos – do not steal, be worthy of trust and fulfill your obligations.

We had group discussions about each one, and I think the one that was very real to kids was be worthy of trust. I saw a lot of agreement that they have had people in their lives that did break their promises. We talked about what you can do when you’ve found you’ve broken your promise and how to gain back trust.

Next we had a free time and some explored the laptops. Louie played with the electronics kit, and Meara explored the iBook laptop.

Then we made a video as a class. The kids came up with some ideas for it as well as the volunteers. To me this was the best part of the day, as they shared some of their creativity and personality.

The kids on YouTube. 

Saturday, July 31st was our sixth class.

We started the course learning about internet safety and went over the tips for kids from the FBI website.

Then the kids got their own email accounts and we practiced sending and receiving emails.

Next we called each other on skype and saw each other’s faces through video.
The Way to Happiness lessons we covered where Be Industrious and Be Competent.

I enjoyed hearing from the kids the things they wanted to be competent in. I can’t wait to see these kids as our leaders in the future. It makes me so happy to hear their dreams. Now they know how they can attain their goals by being industrious and competent.

Today we had a photographer with us from the Pasadena Star News!!! They said we will be featured on August 4th.

We left with a lot of smiles!

Check back with us after next Saturday’s course.

*************************************************************************

Shira seriously whupped my butt in a chess game at redhotpawn.com that I was silly enough to challenge her to; it ended yesterday - I did not even survive 30 moves, eek!  But today,  Ms. Never Say Die Newton once again challenged Shira to a new game.  What was I thinking?  Maybe she won't receive the email challenge...

Computer Labs for Kids: South Central Los Angeles - Classes 3 and 4!

Wow - my buddy Shira has been more than her usual busy the past few weeks.  She has revamped the entire website for Computer Labs for Kids - check it out! 

Classes 3 and 4 in South Central LA have been completed - only 2 more to go (I think).  How quickly the time is going, how much the kids and the volunteers are learning.  (Photo from Class 3, a beautiful smile from a beautiful young lady). 

This project is the first using the new, expanded program of intensive training over several classes with a small group of students and volunteers.  Some of the kids are older than in the past projects - also a new approach.  Too often, it seems, the older kids in foster care and orphanages are just sort of forgotten about.  But Shira loves everyone, and wants to help everyone she can. 

Kudos to the volunteers for this project, who agreed to a six-week commitment, donating precious free time each weekend, to help these kids.  And kudos to the kids - they've shown up, they're learning, they're engaged.

Compuer Labs for Kids - South Central Los Angeles Project!

I've blogged about this exiciting new project earlier. 

It's a horse of a different color.  The newest program involves only a small number of young people and volunteers, but is taking place over a period of several weeks, so the children will receive intensive instruction.  Each child who completes the program will receive his or her own laptop computer.

Shira Evans, the founder of Computer Labs for Kids (she played competitive OTB chess in Wyoming when I first met her, back in 2001 or so, but nowadays she restricts herself to online play, mostly blitz) is exploring new territory with this newly-designed program. 

Let's face it - fund-raising has been an issue from day one.  I suspect, although she would never admit it, that Shira has been mostly footing the bill for her prior programs in India, Israel, Portugal, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas, out of her own earnings.  Now, in this world-wide time of financial hardship for average people, funding has come to the forefront.  Rich people don't give to organizations like Shira's - it's too small, not on the radar, not apt to get publicity for the donor, etc. etc.  It's average peole who hear about her programs through word-of-mouth who volunteer and dig deep to give. And average people are hurting financially.

Lo and behold, seemingly out of the blue a sorority that somehow hears about Shira's Foundation work decides to hold a fundraiser and donates the money to her cause!  Unbeknownst to Shira, this happened while Shira heard about and made contact with a group in Los Angeles who were interested in putting on a program. The money the sorority raised is just enough to put on this new program in south-central Los Angeles. I love it when a plan comes together :)

Shira has started a blog about her Foundation's work and the first project featured is the latest venture in Los Angeles.  She has promised to update it with weekly reports during the program's progress - I will ride her unmercifully to make sure she does!  I can be such a beyatch when I need to be, ahem. 

Computer Labs for Kids: Update Dallas, March 20, 2010

I have received photos from Shira that give a flavor of what Computer Labs for Kids' latest project was like on March 20, 2010 in Dallas, Texas, at Buckner Children and Family Services.  Having been a volunteer at a Computer Labs for Kids' project in Chicago, Illinois in November, 2009, I can pretty much now tell what went on each step of the way :)

If you have an opportunity to do so, I highly recommend signing up as a volunteer at one of Shira Evans' Computer Labs for Kids projects.  The personal rewards you will experience in exchange for a few hours of your time on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon are more precious than gold. 

 First Photo:  I know this scene!  It's the main table where everyone comes to check in and get their name tags!  Supplies for volunteers are also handed out here - very important because they contain the supplies needed for their student along with the exercise sheets that are worked through as the Workshop begins and continues through life-value lessons (non-denominational) that teach such basic things as respect for others, respect for others' belongings and how to care for your belongings.  Here we see a volunteer (in black blouse) and Shira Evans (going through her check-list).

Second photo: One of the computers to be given to the kids.  As you can see, these aren't "toys."  They are actual working laptops that come fully loaded with Windows operating system and other software, including GM Susan Polgar's award-winning "Learn Chess in 30 Minutes."

At the conclusion of the Computer Labs for Kids worshop, each child receives his or her very own laptop computer to keep.

Third Photo: A photo of the class in session. You can see the kids and the volunteers working with the computers. Each kid has his or her own volunteer, who goes through a short on-line training session to better enable the volunteer to deal with questions and issues that his or her child may raise during the course. Typically even so-called "problem" children are well behaved during the session (there is a break half-way through), as the kids are all intensively engaged. First, "life lessons" videos are displayed on a large screen at the front of the room; then a question and answer session promotes interchange with the kids in the audience. After the on-screen lesson, the volunteer and the child go through the lesson again on the computer, where the child has an opportunity to ask questions and a work-book is also gone through, where the child works with his or her volunteer to answer life-lesson questions.

Fourth Photo: One-on-one.  This is how Computer Labs for Kids workshops are taught in the United States - one volunteer instructor and one child.  The kids don't have to "share" an instructor, they each have their own, ready to show them how to utilize the computer and the pre-loaded programs, and answer all the questions they have.  The interaction between student and volunteer is intense and very personal. 

Computer Labs for Kids: Dallas, Texas

An email from Shira Evans of Computer Labs for Kids.  Once again, a successful project - this one in Dallas, Texas earlier this month.  Shira is working on a small scale in concentrated bursts to introduce big changes into the lives of foster kids and orphans all around the world, and she has done it successfully now for over a year.  But, as you know, the need is great.

Foster kids receive Laptops!
On March 20th twenty children received their very own educational laptop at Buckner Children and Family Services.

Twenty-five Computer Labs for Kids volunteers teamed up to deliver training to these children who came from foster homes and the poorest areas of Dallas, TX.

I would like to extend a very warm thank you to all of our volunteers and contributors. You made this event possible!!!

Success!
So far this year, we have awarded 40 laptops to children at foster care facilities. Last year, we awarded 31 laptops and 13 leapsters.

Future Projects

Mary Kimball has requested we hold a course at an Indian Reservation in Phoenix, AZ.

Rev. Alfred Solomon has requested we hold a course for the poor children in Scotland Neck, NC.

The requests go on... including India, Thailand, Brazil, Africa and Israel.

Visit our website to see photos and videos!

FREE MOVIE PASS!
The first 30 people to donate $10 or more will receive a Pacific Theatres pass good for 1 admission ticket. Limited to 1 per donor.

Donate Now!

We Need Help!
We are entirely dependent on your generosity. The only way we will be able to get started on our next project is with the help of your donations.

It costs us $600 per child and right now we have no way to continue. Our costs include the price of the laptop, software, and all course materials.

Thank you for being a part of our organization! Shira

Computer Labs for Kids, Inc.
278 E Colorado Blvd.
#1617
Pasadena, CA 91101

Computer Labs for Kids: Los Angeles February 6, 2010 Video Report!

Received an update video report from Shira Evans on the project at United Care in Los Angeles in which twenty kids in foster care received their very own laptops and the training to take care of them and use them (Photo: kids and their technical assitants during the program):

United Care Project Success!

Hello Computer Labs for Kids fans!

I am happy to report our successful completion of our first Computer Labs for Kids course at United Care on February 6th.

Twenty foster children were overjoyed to receive their laptops and had a wonderful time thanks to the help of our volunteers.

I've like to invite each of you to see our newly released YouTube video of this project. Click here.

Also you can view photos by following this link. Click here.

Next up Texas! Our next program will be at Buckner Children's Services on March 20th in Dallas, TX.

Thank you for following along. I wish you all a beautiful day and the best in your successes. Feel free to email me back. I love to hear from you!

Shira

Computer Labs for Kids: Volunteers Needed for Dallas!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

My friend, Shira Evans, needs another 14 volunteers for the next class of Computer Labs for Kids in Dallas, Texas, on March 20, 2010.  (Photo: Shira Evans [standing] with volunteers and students at the Los Angeles class on February 6, 2010).

If you are in the Dallas area, please consider volunteering half a day.  I was a volunteer in November, 2009 for the Chicago class and I had the most wonderful time!  You don't have to be a computer expert - just know how to operate one - the basics - and be willing to work one on one with a child for half a day.  The kids are so great - my experience as a volunteer in Chicago was very rewarding and fulfilling, and I met some fantabulous people.  Please volunteer - you won't be sorry, I promise. 

Host: Shira Evans
Location: Buckner Children and Family Services
5200 Buckner Blvd
Dallas, TX 75227 US
When: Saturday, March 20, 9:30AM to 12:30PM
Phone: 626-408-2390

Hello everyone,

Computer Labs for Kids is looking for volunteers!

We are a 501c3 charity organization which provides a class about laptops to children in foster care. At the end of each course, the children receive their very own laptop. This is a very fun and exciting course, and we need your help in order to accomplish it. Please visit our website to see our latest project in Chicago, so you will have an idea of what we do. Click here to see our website.

Right now we are looking for (was 20) 14 Volunteers Technical Assistants to help foster children one-on-one at our class on March 20th from 9:30 am to 12:30 am.

Volunteers will need to arrive at 9 am and also to complete our Volunteer Training Course which can be done online. Click here to start the course.

Volunteer Technical Assistant Requirements: Basic computing skills, Love for children and a desire to help them.

Please let me know when you confirm you are attending, your first and last name.  Email.

Thank you very much!

Shira

P.S. If the above links don't work, here are the addresses - http://www.computerlabs4kids.org/ and http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B5PDPSB.

Computer Labs for Kids: Los Angeles February 6, 2010 Photos

Another successful project concluded for Shira Evans' Foundation, thanks to the volunteers and supporters of her work.  Thanks to GM Susan Polgar for providing chess software specifically designed to teach children how to play chess.

Twenty kids in foster care between the ages of 5 and 8 completed the program with help from their technical assistants and received their very own laptop computers.  Here are some photos!

Next up is Dallas.

Computer Labs for Kids: Update and Dallas, March 20, 2010

Hola!  Yesterday was Shira's Computer Labs for Kids workshop in Los Angeles.  I know she survived it because she made a move in our latest chess game at redhotpawn.com.  I am currently losing that game, but now I am threatening her queen, aha!  I won't go down without a fight, Shira!

Shira is looking for volunteers for her Foundation's next Computer Labs for Kids project. At present, 12 more volunteers are needed. If you are in the Dallas area, please consider becoming a volunteer. It's a lot of fun and very fulfilling working with the kids.

Place:
Buckner Children and Family Services
5200 Buckner Blvd
Dallas, TX 75227 US

When:
Saturday, March 20, 9:30AM to 12:30PM
Phone: 626-408-2390

Hello everyone,

Computer Labs for Kids is looking for volunteers!

We are a 501c3 charity organization which provides a class about laptops to children in foster care. At the end of each course, the children receive their very own laptop. This is very fun and exciting course, and we need your help in order to accomplish it. Please visit our website to see our latest project in Chicago, so you will have an idea of what we do. Click here to see our website.

Right now we are looking for 20 Volunteers Technical Assistants to help foster children one-on-one at our class on March 20th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Volunteers will need to arrive at 9 am and also to complete our Volunteer Training Course which can be done online. Click here to start the course.

Volunteer Technical Assistant Requirements: Basic computing skills, Love for children and a desire to help them.

Please let me know when you confirm you are attending, your first and last name.

Thank you very much!
Shira

P.S. If the above links don't work, here are the addresses - http://www.computerlabs4kids.org/ and http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z8K8TPS.

Computer Labs for Kids: Los Angeles February 6, 2010

Here are the details about the upcoming LA Computer Labs for Kids workshop. Twenty kids in foster care, between the ages of 6 and 8, will receive their very own laptop to keep upon successful completion of the workshop. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. I participated in a workshop late last year in Chicago where we helped introduce 28 kids to their laptops and the beginner's chess program generously donated by GM Susan Polgar's Foundation. Please consider volunteering if you are in the area or making a donation to the Computer Labs for Kids Foundation. Location: United Care 3699 Crenshaw Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90016 US When: Saturday, February 6, 1:30PM to 5:00PM Phone: 626-408-2390 Hello everyone, Computer Labs for Kids is looking for volunteers! We are a 501c3 charity organization which provides a class about laptops to children in foster care. At the end of each course, the children receive their very own laptop. This is very fun and exciting course, and we need your help in order to accomplish it. Please visit our website to see our latest project in Chicago, so you will have an idea of what we do. Click here to see our website. Right now we are looking for 20 Volunteers Technical Assistants to help foster children one-on-one at our class on February 6th from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Volunteers will need to arrive at 1:30 pm and also to complete our Volunteer Training Course which can be done online. Click here to start the course. Volunteer Technical Assistant Requirements: Basic computing skills, love for children and a desire to help them. Thank you very much! Shira P.S. If the above links don't work, here are the addresses - http://www.computerlabs4kids.org/ and http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z8K8TPS.

Computer Labs for Kids: First Project for 2010!

News from Shira Evans, the driving force behind Computer Labs for Kids: January 22, 2019: In just a few weeks we will have another Computer Labs for Kids charity event at United Care (a foster care agency) in Los Angeles, CA. This time there will be children from two different foster centers attending - United Care and Olive Crest. There will be twenty children between the ages of 5 through 8. As far as I know, what we are doing isn't done anywhere by any organization. It is extremely unique and desired. I have centers all over the world that want me to come and hold a course, and I'm currently booked up into next year. The reason we are unique and no one else is doing what we are doing is because our program is giving laptops to kids personally. We are teaching them how to be responsible for their laptops and what it means to be owner, and we are using one-on-one volunteers to do all this. The foster centers are blown-away by what we are offering and wanting more than I am able to give at this time. I am working alone and relying solely on the contributions of volunteers. Some of the stories my volunteers told me: My child told me that she wishes she had more days like this! The boy that I had didn't really believe he was going to get a laptop at the end and kept saying, I can REALLY keep it??? One child who arrived upset and non-cooperative was holding his volunteers hand by the end of the course. The kids we are reaching need what we are offering, and it is extremely useful to them as well as fun and exciting for the volunteers. There are three ways you can help us. 1. Donate to our project. (We rely entirely on private donations and won't be able to continue without your help.) 2. Volunteer at one of upcoming classes. (Evite for LA event. Evite for Dallas event.) 3. Tell your friends and people you know about our organization. (I am happy to mail you out a DVD.) Many thanks! Shira-- Shira Evans Executive Director Computer Labs for Kids, Inc. 278 E Colorado Blvd #1617 Pasadena, CA 91101 www.computerlabs4kids.org Phone (626) 408-2390 Fax (267) 345-2449 If you live in the Los Angeles or Dallas areas and are interested in learning more about volunteering for the upcoming projects, please contact Shira. I can tell you first hand that as a volunteer in Chicago I had a blast and met some of the most wonderful, interesting people I've ever met. Working with these volunteers and the children was so fulfilling -- Please consider making a donation to Computer Labs for Kids, which is fully tax deductible. Every little bit helps. Shira is doing remarkable work. Our kids deserve this.

Computer Labs for Kids: Update SOS Childrens Village Chicago

Shira has posted a compilation video (from hours of Lynn's footage) at You Tube and Facebook. I am going to donate that sweater I wore. Well, to tell the truth, at first I was just going to use it in a bonfire out in the backyard, but then I started feeling guilty because it is still a perfectly serviceable sweater and it may suit someone else much better than it suited me in that video. Egoddess! Yes, filming puts 10 pounds on a person, so Shira, who is tall and lean in person, looks great in this video, and I look like a short blob next to her. LOL! I really am NOT that heavy - Goddess, at least I hope not. I swear I did not gain 50 pounds between May, 2009 in New York (see me in top photo in the left column) and November, 2009 in Chicago! Honest! GM Susan Polgar came through for us on this project in a big way, donating 28 copies of her instructional DVD geared toward teaching kids the basics of chess in 30 minutes. Shira downloaded the software on each of the Dell laptops for the kids. Watching the video brought back so many wonderful memories. It was a lot of work, and very tiring, but great fun and so rewarding - I can hardly put it into words. And I really didn't do all that much. I did some blogging, and made some contacts, and volunteered a day in Chicago. Shira bore the brunt of the work -- conceiving, structuring, organizing, soliciting donations, getting the computers ready, soliciting, training and organizing more than two dozen volunteers, and then putting on the program, etc. etc. I kind of remember what it was like to be that young and to have all of that energy :) In the spirit of the season, I hope you will consider making donations, however, small, to two of my favorite people and their causes: Shira Evans' Computer Labs for Kids, and Susan Polgar's Foundation. These ladies are doing wonderful work and are an inspiration to me.

GM Susan Polgar Comes Through!

Susan Polgar contacted me regarding my prior post on Shira's wish for chess software to download to the Dell notebooks for the upcoming Computer Labs for Kids project. Once again, GM Polgar comes through and is generously donating 28 copies of her age-appropriate interactive DVD that teaches kids how to play chess to the Computer Labs for Kids project at the SOS Childrens Village of Illinois which launches on November 15, 2009! I just got off the telephone with Shira to tell her the news and she is as thrilled as I am. THANK YOU, SUSAN! This is wonderful! Learn Chess in 30 Minutes, Chess for Absolute Beginners

Computer Labs for Kids: Update on SOS Childrens Village

Prior post. All systems are go for Shira’s newest project, this time stateside in Illinois – the SOS Childrens Village of Illinois. Twenty-eight children (pre-teen) will receive brand new Dell laptops along with the training to use them! Shira and other volunteers, including yours truly, will be working with the kids and the computers on site next Sunday, November 15, 2009. Shira has a wish. She would like to be able to load software that teaches kids how to play chess on all 28 laptops. They run Windows XP. There are no funds available to purchase 28 copies of software, not even at a discount. Shira has posted this wish at Amazon.com. If you can find it in your heart, we would greatly appreciate your help in obtaining the necessary copies of software to load on to the laptops that Shira’s Foundation will be turning over to their future youthful owners next Sunday. I am thrilled, delighted, and touched that Shira took up on a suggestion I made a few months ago, about using the computers to teach the kids to play chess. The educational, social and personal benefits that learning how to play chess brings to a young person (and adults, too), are well documented. Much information about the benefits of chess and information about some of the work being done with our youth around the United States can be found at GM Susan Polgar’s blog, the 9Queens website, and at GM Alexandra Kosteniuk’s blog. I will try to take lots of pictures – that is, if we are allowed. There may be privacy concerns regarding the children -- I will be sure to check on this. I will be sure to take plenty of pictures of Shira and any other volunteer who comes within camera range! I promise I will only publish photos of myself that I deem suitable for adult viewing :)

Computer Labs for Kids: Update on SOS Childrens Village

Hola! Prior post on Computer Labs for Kids' latest project. Shira has been busy unpacking and assembling the 28 Dell Latitude 2100 notebooks that she will be distributing to children in need during the SOS Childrens Village of Illinois Project! PROJECT COMMENCES NOVEMBER 15, 2009!!!

Chess Training - 1

Hola! This will probably be my only post tonight. I'm very tired, sorry. It's been a LONG event-filled day. Earlier today I finished up my game - by resignation - with Chessdaddy (a/k/a Kelly Atkins), who acted as my coach leading up to the Shira Chess Challenge. I was hanging in there as black - so I thought - until a few moves back I, absolutely unforgivably, hung my bishop to a pawn. OH SHIT. After that, it was curtains, and to add to my embarrassment, I'm sure I missed a move or two that may have led to me hanging on a bit longer. Sigh. In the meantime, I started a new game with Shira about a week ago - it is in early moves, given both of our schedules. And earlier this evening I challenged Chessdaddy to a rematch :) Don't know if he'll accept. In the meantime, Mr. Don has steadfastly refused (ha!) to accept any of my challenges to play another game of chess - online. He says he is too busy. Yeah, and I'm sitting around doing nothing? Trust me, darlings, Mr. Don is going to be met at the door when he arrives for Christmas with my replica Lewis chess pieces already set up on a custom-made elm and cherry board (a gift from one of my legal mentors) before the fireplace, chilled and heavily-liquored up eggnog readily at hand. He will NOT be able to refuse, unless he wishes to sleep overnight in the nearest snowbank.